NEW YORK—Spring is about to explode all over the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens (BBG) as they celebrate the cherry blossom season, from April 3 to May 3, with what is known as Hanami.
Hanami is the Japanese cultural tradition of viewing and cherishing each moment of the cherry blossom season. At Brooklyn Botanic Garden, its being billed as New York City’s “rite of spring.”
Visitors can stroll under a canopy of cherry trees, see Daffodil Hill glowing in gold, and meander through the magnificent Magnolia Plaza. Magnolia trees have already burst into color, and the landscape is popping out in pink—with graceful sweeps of weeping cherries in the Japanese Garden followed by the pageantry of clustered ‘Sekiyama’ blossoms filling Cherry Esplanade.
For those planning a visit, the Web site is updated daily with the cherry blossoms’ status, pre-bloom, first bloom, peak bloom, and post-peak. As of Thursday, about 10 trees are in first blossom, but with sunny weather forecast for the weekend, they’re expecting a lot of progress this weekend.
On Thursday, Kate from the BBG press office said she was surprised to see the gardens so lively with people already.
“People are so excited, there are a lot of excited visitors in the gardens today … thousands of people. … I definitely advise people planning a visit to check out the Cherry Watch on the Web site before they come,” said Kate. “We have over 200 cherry trees, and over 30 species all blossoming at different stages, so it’s best to find out where they are in bloom.”
The gardens are large, and it’s possible to miss some spectacular areas in full spring glory, if you don’t have an idea where to head.
Oriental flowering cherries bloom at the garden from late March or early April through mid-May. No one species or cultivar blooms continuously for more than a week, but the 42 varieties within the 52 acres at the BBG allow for a long-term display.
Hanami culminates in the Sakura Matsuri festival on Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2, 10 a.m.– 6 p.m., rain or shine. The Japanese cultural event features over 60 events and performances.
Garden Hours
Tuesday–Friday:
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday:
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed Mondays
(but open Memorial Day,
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Hanami is the Japanese cultural tradition of viewing and cherishing each moment of the cherry blossom season. At Brooklyn Botanic Garden, its being billed as New York City’s “rite of spring.”
Visitors can stroll under a canopy of cherry trees, see Daffodil Hill glowing in gold, and meander through the magnificent Magnolia Plaza. Magnolia trees have already burst into color, and the landscape is popping out in pink—with graceful sweeps of weeping cherries in the Japanese Garden followed by the pageantry of clustered ‘Sekiyama’ blossoms filling Cherry Esplanade.
For those planning a visit, the Web site is updated daily with the cherry blossoms’ status, pre-bloom, first bloom, peak bloom, and post-peak. As of Thursday, about 10 trees are in first blossom, but with sunny weather forecast for the weekend, they’re expecting a lot of progress this weekend.
On Thursday, Kate from the BBG press office said she was surprised to see the gardens so lively with people already.
“People are so excited, there are a lot of excited visitors in the gardens today … thousands of people. … I definitely advise people planning a visit to check out the Cherry Watch on the Web site before they come,” said Kate. “We have over 200 cherry trees, and over 30 species all blossoming at different stages, so it’s best to find out where they are in bloom.”
The gardens are large, and it’s possible to miss some spectacular areas in full spring glory, if you don’t have an idea where to head.
Oriental flowering cherries bloom at the garden from late March or early April through mid-May. No one species or cultivar blooms continuously for more than a week, but the 42 varieties within the 52 acres at the BBG allow for a long-term display.
Hanami culminates in the Sakura Matsuri festival on Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2, 10 a.m.– 6 p.m., rain or shine. The Japanese cultural event features over 60 events and performances.
Garden Hours
Tuesday–Friday:
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday:
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed Mondays
(but open Memorial Day,
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
