29-04-2025
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
UPDATED: Royal Botanical Gardens' cherry blossoms now in ‘peak bloom'
The Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) says its cherry blossoms are now in 'peak bloom.'
'Warm weather over the weekend pushed the Flowering Cherry Collection into peak bloom,' the RBG, which straddles Burlington and Hamilton, stated on its
bloom watch webpage
.
'Plan your visit soon, as these ephemeral blooms are extremely sensitive to heat, wind, and rain.'
RBG horticulture director Jon Peter, in an April 28 email interview, stated that 'all the early types (are) in full bloom and some of the later types (are) beginning.'
If it seems they're a tad late this year, that would only be because lots of people have a short memory.
The RBG keeps a yearly tab on peak bloom and last year's peak bloom was listed as April 18. For 2023, it was April 19. For 2022, on the other hand, it wasn't until May 7.
Peter said this year's timing, at least for the RBG, is influenced by two factors including 'being late coming out of winter, followed by some quick advancement the past two weeks with consistent 10 C to 20 C-plus days.'
The previous two years (2024, 2023) 'were early years and 2025 is back to normal timing,' he said.
Over the last 20 years, the earliest date listed for peak bloom was April 4 in 2012 and the latest was May 14 in 2014. The full list is
here
.
It's cherry blossom time. This photo was taken April 28 at the RBG.
It's been a good spring, thus far, Peter said.
'Buds are all looking really good this year for cherries and magnolias. Foliage is yet to emerge as they flower before leaves. The flowers and leaves are set in buds last fall, so with the excellent flowering we are seeing, I would think the foliage will be nice and healthy as well.'
While the cherry blossoms always seem to get the big press, they aren't the only game in town.
'We are nearing end of forsythia and star magnolia blooms, but the saucer magnolias, cherries, and daffodils are moving towards peak,' he said.
'Other groups of blooms that will start soon are crabapples, redbuds, dogwoods, more viburnums, and of course the lilacs.
'Lilac buds are emerging, but no flowers are open yet.
'Also, today (April 28) I saw the first of the tulips to open, with lots more on the way.'
The RBG has a
handy guide
to what it has currently in bloom.
EDITOR'S NOTE - April 29, 2025:
this story has been updated with the latest information on peak bloom.
