Toronto’s got long winters. Like, really long winters. So when spring finally starts to peek out everyone is excited. Even the grumpiest of people crack a smile. Depending on how harsh the winter has been spring usually shows its face in early to late April. One of the clearest signs that spring has sprung in Toronto is when the cherry blossoms in Toronto start blooming. Now I know plenty of cities have fantastic cherry blossom collections but I’ve got a special fondness for the Toronto Cherry Blossoms.
Toronto has collections of cherry blossoms spread all throughout the city. Having lived here for what I consider forever (okay 16ish years) I only discovered the cherry blossoms 6 years ago. Shameful, I know! But blame university and living outside of the downtown core. But once I did see these little suckers it was hard not to fall in love. They’re so pretty, photogenic and smell so good! It’s such a perfect way to celebrate spring and the good weather to come.
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History of Sakura in Toronto
In 1959, the Japanese ambassador of Canada gifted 2000 Sakura Trees to Toronto as a thank you for accepting Japanese-Canadians after World War II. Majority of these trees were planted along the pond in High Park. The Consulate General of Japan in Toronto has since planted an additional 3000 trees between 2000 and 2012.
Protecting the Cherry Blossoms
It should go without saying that you should look and not touch when it comes to the Cherry Blossoms/Sakura Trees in Toronto. The more you disturb the flowers and the trees the more you damage them and may ruin future bloomings.
Don’t hang on branches or pluck the flowers – practice leaving no trace!
When do the Toronto Cherry Blossoms Bloom?
The Toronto Cherry Blossoms typically bloom in late April and early May but this can be really weather dependent and some years they bloom way more than others. While they typically stay blooming for about 10 days, rainy weather can significantly shorten the bloom time.
Where to find Cherry Blossoms in Toronto
You can find cherry blossoms all across the city (like you can see on the map below). I’ve listed the 17 places where you can find clusters around the city. There may be private locations like residences etc. but these are the official spots!
Birkdale Ravine
Located in the East End you’ll find Birkdale Ravine where 45 cherry blossom trees create a tunnel of awesomeness! You can find the trees specifically at the Pomeroy and Lyon Heights Road entrance.
The trees were donated by Sagamihara which is Toronto’s sister city in Japan.
Broadacres Park
Broadacres Park, located in Etobicoke, has a collection of 100 trees! The flowers can be found in the southeast corner of the park close to Elderfield Crescent. The 100 trees were planted in 2002.
Cedar Ridge Park
The 5 trees in Cedar Ridge Park can be found north of the Cedar Ridge Creative Centre.
Cedarvale Park
Cedarvale Park has cherry blossoms as well but there’s no confirmed information on how many trees they have.
Centennial Park
Centennial Park has the second largest collection of trees in Toronto with a collection of 463 trees. They’re a little bit more spread out in the park and you can find them just northeast of the conservatory and all the way to Rathburn Road. Bunch of trees were planted in 2002, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Cherry Street and Villiers Street
The intersection of Cherry Street and Villiers Street has 45 trees in the northeast corner of the intersection that were planted there in 2006.
Edwards Gardens
Edwards Gardens has 10 sakura trees. 8 medium sized ones can be found near the waterfall by the courtyard and 2 large ones can be found on the west side of the ravine by the bridal path entrance.
Exhibition Place
The ground of Exhibition Place has 68 cherry blossom trees that were donated in 2002.
High Park
High Park is definitely what most people think of when they think of cherry blossoms in Toronto. It’s lovely but it’s also a hit or miss. High Park’s got a huge collection of blossoms (the biggest in Toronto) and it’s also the most well known collection. There’s an online blossom watch run by the park which predicts the bloom. Most of the trees can be found in one area of the park, down by the ponds. High Park gets busier and busier every year and as a result the city has had to figure out ways to deal with the crowds. While in the past you could drive to High Park during the blossoms you’ll no longer be allowed to do that starting this year.
As you can see from the High Park pictures there’s definitely a big difference in when you go and how busy it is. The first set of pictures (above) were taken two years ago in the late afternoon. Bloom in that year was in the first week of May and the flowers were really pink. We went to see the trees in the evening. While the sunset basked the trees in a perfect glow it was also incredibly busy. The second set of pictures (below) were taken last year in early May. We dragged ourselves out of bed and went to see the blossoms just after sunrise (and before work). The park was definitely a lot emptier. But maybe there was a difference in the light? The blossoms were definitely whiter and didn’t seem as full. I chalk that up to them blooming slightly earlier.
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in North York has cherry trees on the north, south and east sides of the parking and some on the north side of the building. The trees were planted in 2002, 2004 and 2012.
Mount Pleasant Cemetery
Mount Pleasant Cemetery is definitely one of the hidden gems with cherry blossoms. Sadly it’s one of the ones I haven’t gotten to check out yet. But if you’re headed over there the blossoms can be found by the fenced portion of the road. Budget some extra time to walk around! It’s one of the prettiest walks in Toronto (even if it’s a bit creepy).
Robarts Library
Robarts Library is also known as the peacock because of its shape. This University of Toronto icon however also houses a collection of 70 cherry trees that line the walking path at Huron and Harbord Street. This one’s particularly nice because they line a pathway which makes them really nice for photo shoots.
Toronto Islands
Most people don’t know that there’s about 30 cherry blossom trees on Center Island that were planted in 2011.
They’re also easily accessible as they’re only a 10 minute walk from the docks and can be found beside the William Meany Maze.
Since you have to take the ferry over, odds are that these are nowhere near as crowded as some of the other spots. So if you’re into having the place slightly calmer I’d check the trees on Center Island out!
Trinity Bellwoods Park
Trinity Bellwoods Park is a Toronto staple. It’s a large and popular park in the downtown core. Many people spend lazy summer days here. Like Robart’s Library, majority of the 70 cherry blossom trees here line a pathway in the southeast corner of the park. It’s also super popular for all those OOTD posts. Saw 5-6 of them being done while we were there. The cherry blossoms in Trinity Bellwood do have one edge over the other locations, you can frame the CN Tower in a shot!
University of Toronto Scarborough
My alma mater, the University of Toronto Scarborough, actually has a beautiful collection of 50 trees by their humanities wing as well! It’s further east than most people venture but definitely worth it!
Woodbine Park
Woodbine Park has 20 trees planted along the curved path of the pond but they’re not mature yet.
York University
York University’s main campus has 250 trees spread throughout the campus that were planted in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007.
Map of Toronto Cherry Blossoms Locations
The below map will show you all of the above mentioned locations:
Does your city have cherry blossoms? Have you ever seen the ones in Toronto? Let me know in the comments and pin this post for your upcoming trip to Toronto!
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Pretty in pink! <3
Author
Thanks 😀
lovely read.. I’m sure the cherry blossoms were amazing to watch..’
Author
Thank you! They really were!
Oh wow. I have always thought that Cherry Blossoms only grew in Asia. Do you know that they are called Sakura in Japan? They are so pretty. I have always wanted to see them with my own eyes! 🙂
Author
I did know that! Apparently a lot of big cities have collections of them. They’re really nice flowers!
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Author
Thanks for checking it out!
Great photos! Loved the tips for locations!
Author
Thanks!!
I had no idea Toronto had the ability to grow cherry blossoms. So gorgeous!
Author
Yes! It’s a little known fact to those not in Toronto but it’s absolutely stunning to take in!
I didn’t realise that cherry blossoms were also in Toronto! I thought they were only in Japan etc. Amazing photos!
Author
Thank you! Yes, I think a lot of major North American cities have collections of them!
My favourite part of spring is the cherry blossoms! And I’m kind of sad that we visited Canada at the beginning of winter instead of in spring now, because these places look gorgeous in bloom!
Author
It’s definitely a reason to come back! Canada is splendid in Winter but Toronto’s perfect in summer
Love how you captured those cherry blossoms! Especially the picture with the sun beams!
Author
Thank you! It’s one of my favourites as well 🙂
When I think of cherry blossoms it is usually Japan that comes to mind, I didn;t realise there were so many in Toronto. The blossoms at Trinity Bellwoods Park look particularly beautiful!
Author
Yes! Tons to see here. Trinity Bellwoods definitely had the nicest bloom this year!
I loveeee Cherry Blossoms!! I wish they happened in India as well. I have really seen them blooming in Netherlands couple of years ago. Lovely photos. Keep it up 🙂
Author
Thank you! Yes it would be lovely if everyone had access to them!
Love the pink color. Very useful info.
Author
Thank you 🙂
Seeing Cherry Blossoms in bloom, in person, is high up on my bucket list! I had planned on trying to make it to DC to see them, but didn’t know Toronto was an option. Canada is also up there on my list too, so I may try to knock out two birds with one stone! Great post and gorgeous pictures!
Author
Thank you!! Yes definitely worth coming to Toronto for those!
Cherry blossoms are one of my favorites. They look so beautiful when in full bloom. Thanks for the virtual tour of blooming Cherry blossoms from Toronto.
Author
Thank you for reading!
I live in Washington DC, a place somewhat famous for the cherry blossoms, with a festival every year, so it’s neat to see that so many other cities have the same tradition. Being from Buffalo, NY, I have visitied Toronto so many times that I’m glad that have such festivals.
Author
Washington’s Cherry Blossoms is something I really want to see! I’ll have to try to catch it next year!
Cherry blossoms are really beautiful and photogenic. I guess I haven’t spent enough time in Toronto as when I think of Toronto it’s sort of a concrete jungle image that comes to mind rather than nice parks and flowers. Must be a relief when winter is over.
Author
It’s definitely what most people think about but we’ve got lots of nature in the middle of town. We’ve got a park bigger than Central Park that’s completely accessible with transit. We’ve got beautiful water fronts too!
I didn’t know that Toronto is famous for its Cherry Blossoms too! I was only aware of Washington D.C.! Your pictures speak for itself how beautiful it is!
Author
Thank you! I think it’s a well kept secret but the ones we have are very pretty!
Toronto looks so beautiful during the cherry blossom. Planning to visit Toronto this fall. Looks like, we have to do a spring trip as well. Lovely picture.
It’s so cool that these beautiful trees are in so many different cities! I’d love to go up to Toronto to see them, I’ve only ever seen them in Washington DC so far.