Friday, April 16, 2010

Cherry Blossom Time at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden


Last Sunday my husband and I spent the afternoon strolling around the grounds of the 52 acre Brooklyn Botanic Garden, located at 1000 Washington Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.  I have already blogged about the Japanese Hill and Pond Garden in the BBG and the beautiful Magnolia trees that were in bloom, but for Pink Saturday I thought I'd show the wonderful explosion of cherry tree blossoms that we saw in the garden that day!

This is a view of Cherry Esplanade section of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, of the trees in first bloom, taken  from The Overlook.

The "Prunus kanzan" cherry trees along Cherry Esplanade and the Cherry Walk were beginning to bloom last weekend, and since the temperatures were in the plesant low 70's there were many visitors enjoying the day in the garden.The esplanade is the only part of the garden where visitors can sit on the grass.

The Garden's Japanese flowering cherry collection contains over 200 trees of more than 30 species and cultivars that bloom in succession during April. BBG is considered one of the best sites outside of Japan for viewing cherry blossoms.

(All photos can be clicked on to enlarge)

A description of some of the different types of cherry trees


According to the Brooklyn Botanic web site: "Hanami means “flower viewing” and is the Japanese cultural tradition of viewing and cherishing each moment of the cherry blossom season. Hanami is thought to have started in Japan during the Nara period (710–794 A.D.) with the viewing of flowering apricot and plum trees. But by the Heian period, (794–1185) cherry blossoms, known as sakura, had become the celebrated spring flower."

The BBG even has a Cherry Watch Blossom Status Map on their web site to inform the public of what tree is in bloom and where it is located.


There is also a Flickr Group with many more Hanami photos.

On May 1st and 2nd, 2010, there will be a "Sakura Matsuri," a phenomenal weekend celebrating Japanese culture with over 60 events and performances for both adults and children.

      
76 double-flowered "Prunus Kazan’ trees line the Cherry Esplanade and create a dazzling spring display.



Cherry blossom time is certainly a time to celebrate Spring and the color pink!

Please visit Beverly at the How Sweet The Sound blog to see links for more blogs participating in Pink Saturday today!



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48 comments:

Mary Ann said...

Oh my word, you have a true gife for photography. I could never take such lovely photos. Have a wonderful weekend.

Annesphamily said...

Pat you know how to show off the pinks! These photos are exquisite! Thank you for sharing! Hugs Anne

Vee said...

Goodness! Your photographs are breathtaking. I love the close-ups of the blossoms for the variety of hues within the same blossoms and I love the shot of the other photographer getting her shot. Cute! I'll never see anything like this except for here at your blog. Thank you!

Allie and Pattie said...

Oh Pat! You make me so homesick! Gorgeous!!
xoxo Pattie

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I want to rush right up there this weekend. If I wait till the festival, will any of the cherry blossoms still be out? beautiful photographs Pat.

Joanne Kennedy said...

Wow! How beautiful! I could go and sit there for hours and hours. You are so lucky to live near that place.

Hugs,
Joanne

Ebie said...

Wow! No words and adjectives are enough to say how beautiful those "trees that grow in Brooklyn"

It is a delight to see them! How lovely!

Kathleen said...

Gorgeous! I can't think of a prettier pink!

C.M. Jackson said...

Magnificient shots--I want to get in the car and drive out to Brooklyn right now. Something tells me that this weekend the weather will not be cooperating but I am going to make it a point to visit the BBG soon. Thank for a wonderful post!

Sandy said...

Just stunning photos of the cherry blooms.

Hugs,
Teacup Lane (Sandy)

Cindy said...

Just luscious! I would so love to go for a walk there. And 70 degrees? Perfect!
Happy PS

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Your pictures are just breathtaking!!! I love the cherry trees in bloom in the spring. So gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures with us. Love & blessings from NC!

Lora @ my blessed life said...

Really, really beautiful! Now I want to come to NYC for cherry blossom time and not just DC:)

diane b said...

Amazingly beautiful. I would love to see that in real life but I am lucky to be able to experience through your blog. Fab photos.

Birgit said...

What amazing photos -- thanks so much for sharing those beautiful views! I wish I could see Brooklyn Botanic Garden these days... However, seeing your photos is second best for sure. :)

Happy Pink Saturday,
Birgit

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Did you ever go to DC during the peak of Cherry Blossom time? You of all people would LOVE it!!

Jojo said...

So beautiful!! THINK PINK!!

Old Kitty said...

Oh wow.

I've just visited the Cherry Watch Blossum Status Map and been watching the cherry blossom time lapse - amazing!

And the Sakura Matsuri Festival looks really good!!! Are you going? It looks like such fun (the sushi cookies made me laugh!!).

I can't believe all these beautiful blossoms in one place - and how they bloom! The closeup pics really do them justice as each bloom is a small island of perfection.

It's so good to see many people enjoying the parks and the trees. I like that they have times the blooms so that they bloom in succession and not all at once because they don't last very long do they?

Oh but what a treat to see them like this!

Happy Hanami!! And this is a perfect Pink Saturday post!

Take care
x

RoeH said...

Twice now I've been in DC and have been unable to go down and see the cherry blossoms. Something has come up both times. So someday, I want to see how beautiful it looks like in photos.

La Petite Gallery said...

Pat,
such gorgeous photo's.
I wish we had a spot like that.
The Prunus KANZAN is the one I would buy I wrote it down. Which one was your favorite?


yvonne

nycstylelittlecannoli said...

how gorgeous! I have never been to the Brooklyn botanic garden but really need to from these great shots! thank you !!

Tami @ Creative girl Vintage said...

This is just too beautiful for words. A little piece of pink heaven.
Happy Pink Saturday..xo Tami

Anonymous said...

What a spectacular sight, Pat!!! All of that beauty, plus the perfect weather, too....it must have been a glorious day! Thank you for another of your wonderful tours! L, Dana

Anonymous said...

They're exquisite!

Hard to tell what the temperature was that day. One person in a jacket, another in a halter top.

Once again, thanks for a fabulous tour!

Tracy Watier said...

So amazing and magical. Pink trees! I'm headed off this morning to a botanical garden myself. The Huntington again. Can't wait to see what's in bloom now that it's really spring.
Thanks for your recent visit, Pat. Sorry I've been so busy and not able to comment as much as I used to. But I do do take a quick peek now and then and your blog is just as fun as always. Happy Saturday to you!

Regina said...

Wow! How amazing and delightful!
Thank you for sharing them Pat.
Happy Pink Saturday.
Enjoy the weekend.
xo

Jacalyn @ rmebathproducts.com said...

OMG, they are absolutely gorgeous! Looks like a beautiful day for visiting too!

Happy PS,
Jacalyn

My name is Riet said...

How wonderfully beautiful these gardens are. Love those cherry trees. Your first photo is fabulous

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh how fabulous, Pat... I didn't know there were so many varieties of cherry trees--and blooms... WOW---that's incredible. Loved reading the explanation.

No wonder there were so many people there. I'd love that place... How fabulous!!!!

Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

Tracy said...

I should just cry... it's all so beautiful, those misty clouds of pink blossom...Not enough words to describe such sublime loveliness! Thank you so much for this special pink show, Pat! Happy Weekend ((HUGS))

this is my patch said...

This is a truly amazing space! Your photos are great Pat. Don't those pale pinks and blues look so good together. x

The Single Nester said...

Just gorgeous! I have to get out there!

Olivia said...

Wow! This is amazing I love it, makes me want to travel~ If you have a moment please check me out at http://shabbychictreasures.blogspot.com
I am also having a teapot giveaway! Happy Pink Saturday! Hugs,
Olivia

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What vibrant color! It seems the cherry trees are prettier this year than ever before. The blooms are so full and fragrant! Love all the information in your post! I've learned some things! Thanks! Enjoy your weekend! ♥

Maggie said...

Stunning, just stunning!

Claudia said...

A little piece of heaven, Pat. The photos are truly exquisite - what gifts you have and what a lovely eye for beauty.

Mari said...

HELLO AND HAPPY PINK SATURDAY....
WOW I THINK I JUST DIED AND WENT TO PINK HEAVEN, LOL LOVING ALL THE BEAUTIFUL PINK BLOOMS!!! THANKS FOR SHARING, I HAVE NOT BEEN BACK TO BBG IN SOOO LONG, ITS SOO BEAUTIFUL, I MOST TELL THE HUBBY TO TAKE ME THERE AGAIN :)

Steph said...

The blossoms are so beautiful I want to cry. Your pictures are amazing. Wish I was there.

YankeeSoaper said...

Simply gorgeous! What a cheerful post on this rainy wet weekend. Lovely lovely photos!

EG CameraGirl said...

Gorgeous blossoms and it's wonderful to see so many people out enjoying them!

Kathleen said...

These photos are too beautiful for words!

Elizabeth said...

WOW!!!!
I have never been to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
I must go!!! (The day I tried to I got to the Museum but it was pelting with rain after lunch)
These pictures are stunning.
Talked with Paz today about Tracy's visit. We must all get together. Very exciting.

The Gathering Place said...

What beautiful photos! Cherry blossoms have got to be one of my most favorite spring attractions!

Judy said...

Oh...this is most beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

These just started to bloom in my yard... One on each side of my home. They're beautiful. They only last about 2 weeks or so, but their bloom is always long awaited. And the finale is to die for, as each bloom slips down from their individual branches onto the circular drive and flower beds, a blanket of pink lies on the ground for days ahead. It's been a while since I've seen you in blogland and have been missing you so I decided to stop by and say "hello my friend".

Sharyn Sowell said...

Hi Pat, thanks for the comment on my blog... I have been enjoying your garden pics too and thought it was fun to see how different gardens in the big city in the East (you) are from a garden in a rural town in the West are (me!) How fun to enjoy the contrasts. I can't get over the size of everything in NYC. Soon I'll be in your neck of the woods... small town girl in the city again. Love it. Wish I could bump into you there!!!

Beverly said...

Gosh, Pat. I'm finally here to wish you a very belated Happy Pink Saturday. My job is keeping me crazy...busy.

The first time I saw a cherry tree in bloom was on an eighth-grade field trip to Washington, DC. I lived in Fort Lauderdale, and it was a very long train ride. But, the cherry trees and tulips were a first to me, and I took so many pictures.

Thank you for sharing this exquisite sight with me.

Delwyn said...

Hello pat

thanks for dropping by. These prunus are splendid. I have a daughter who lives in Japan so she lets me know when Cherry Blossom season is officially opened in Tokyo. It makes the top of the news there. Families crowd the gardens to picnic and celebrate the sakura.

I was interested to read that originally the favoured blossoms were pear and apricot. I recently made my way through all 1100 pages of the 1000 year old novel Genji, set in the Heian period and I can imagine the ladies of the court viewing the blossoms in the cloistered gardens of the imperial Japan palace.

happy days