Postcards from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Cherry Blossoms in Bloom, Brooklyn, NY, USA

We made a trip to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) in Brooklyn, New York, for its Cherry Blossom season, which was a visual and sensory explosion of gorgeous colors and exotic fragrances. Long a tradition in Japanese culture dating back to 710-794 CE, theses exotic trees have celebrated the awakening and arrival of Spring with cherry and plum blossom viewing parties called Hanami. Seeing these exquisite trees dressed in their graceful pink clouds of flowers made for an enchanted visit. For gardeners as well as nature lovers, Cherry Blossom season must be experienced for oneself to fully appreciate the tradition and their exceptional beauty.

Each year our friends Nolini and Ashley hold a Hanami party to celebrate Cherry Blossom season at their home as their street is lined with gorgeous cherry trees that create a stunning pink canopy. Guests always arrive and leave in wonderment at the trees in their almost magical beauty, and food and drinks have a Sakura (cherry) theme to enhance the celebration.

In anticipation of the party, we made a visit to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) on Saturday, May 2, 2025, when the cherry trees were in bloom and displaying their exotic and delicate ruffled pink blossoms. The BBG has 26 distinct species and cultivars in their Flowering Cherry Collection, and it was an incredible experience to see the various trees in their requisite splendor. Especially enjoyable was walking under the canopy of trees and have them “shower” pink “rain” on us as we walked on a bed of pretty pink petals.

One of the many things that we learned during our visit is that there are many types of cherry trees (prunus), and their blossoms come in various shades of pink and also white. Some blossoms are small, some can be quite large at 2-inches across and can also differ by shape: round, conical, and cup-like, and also by the number of petals that can vary from 5-petal to 12-petal blossoms.

A Few of the Cherry Trees in the BBG Collection Include:

Prunus ‘Accolade’ – An English hybrid released in 1952, and has semidouble, 12-petaled pale pink flowers.

Prunus ‘Snow Goose’ – Early flowering with fragrant white cup-like blossoms.

Prunus ‘Hata-zakura’ – Yields a plethora of 5-petaled pale pink blossoms that turn white when fully open.

Prunus ‘Ojochin’ – Large, flat blossoms up to 2-inches across, color begins as pink buds that segue into light pink to white and appear in pendant clusters.

Prunus ‘Shogetsu’– Three to six flowers in pendant clusters on this medium-sized cultivar. Buds start out the color of shell pink then transition to semidouble white of light pink flowers.

Prunus x dawyckensis – Single flowers in clusters of three or four and range from pale pink to white.

Prunus x sieboldii – Smaller flowering cherry tree and has dark pink buds that open to solid pink blossoms.

Prunus x yedoensis – Single pink blossoms become white with age and have a faint fragrance.

Prunus Kanzan

Prunus “Kanzan’ – the showiest of the cherry trees with 28 petals (most cherry blossoms have 5) and deep pink blossoms.

Prunus ‘Shirotae’ – double-flowered cherry tree with pink tinted buds that open to reveal showy white blossoms with a heady fragrance.

Tree Peonies

While we had planned our visit to see the Cherry Blossoms, we were also enchanted with the spectacular display of tree peonies that had stunning, plate-size flowers in a diverse range of colors. The BBG Tree Peony Collection consists of more than 300 plants. Interesting to note is that Tree Peonies are native to China and Tibet, may grow to 4-6 feet tall, and can live for more than a century.

A Few of the Tree Peonies in the BBG Collection Include:

Paeonia (Suffruticosa Group), ‘Kamata-fuji’ Japanese Hybrid Tree Peony pre-1898, Japan

Paeonia (Suffruticosa Group), ‘Meikōhō’ Japanese Hybrid Tree Peony pre-1831, Japan

Paeonia (Suffruticosa Group), ‘Shin-shima-no-kagayaki’ Japanese Hybrid Tree Peony pre-1990, Japan

Paeonia (Suffruticosa Group), ‘Renkaku’ Japanese Hybrid Tree Peony pre-1898, Japan

Paeonia (Suffruticosa Group), ‘Hana-asobi’ Japanese Hybrid Tree Peony pre-1931, Japan

After experiencing the cherry blossoms and peonies, we toured other areas of the BBG including the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, and the Shakespeare Garden, which was also lovely with herbs, flowers, shrubs, and trees noted in Shakespeare’s works along with quotes next to the plants.

Also interesting was the Fragrance Garden, created in 1955 and was the first garden in the country designed especially for the visually impaired. Raised plant beds, fragrant plants, and Braille signs help create a memorable sensory experience, and in late May, the BBG plants sensory plants for gentle touching. The tulip plantings were like an artist’s palette bursting with colors in all shapes and sizes, while the plentiful Wisteria enchanted the senses with their beauty and heady fragrance that wafted in the air.

Wisteria

On the day we visited, there was also drum music provided by Brooklyn United and their dancers to add excitement and yet another sensory element to a fabulous day exploring the BBG gardens.

We also took time to enjoy the Bonsai Museum with their stunning artistry. Of particular note were the very old specimens, the Japanese Red Pine (Pinus Densiflora) that was raised from seed in 1950; the Daimyo Oak (Quercus Dentata) C. 137 years old in 1988, and the Juniperus scopulorum cascade style, developed by Ryan Neil, C. 500 years old in 2010.

Juniperus Scopulorum Cascade Style

Daimyo Oak Quercus Dentata

Another magical stroll was through the Bluebell Wood where 45,000 Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica ‘Excelsior’) created a sea of blue amidst a forest of trees. It was a marvelous day at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden experiencing the Cherry Blossoms in bloom, the Tree Peonies, and so much more. We cannot wait to return to see the garden at other times of the year.

Edward is one with the Bluebell Wood

Visiting a garden is always inspirational, and after our visit to the BBG, we went home inspired and created a dessert to bring to our friends’ Hanami party, Luxury Experience – Matcha Green Tea Sago Pudding made with Tapioca and Coconut Milk, with Sakura Soumen and Cherry Coulis garnished with Sakura Mochi “Flowers” with Gold Dragée Centers, and Matchi Green Tea “Leaves.” What will a visit to the BBG inspire you to do?

Luxury Experience – Matcha Green Tea Sago Pudding

Until next time, take time to smell the flowers, and keep enjoying travel with Luxury Experience.

A Sampling of Upcoming and Ongoing Events at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden 

The BBG has wonderful upcoming programs, so be sure to visit their website for more information. 

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Seasonal Hours:

April 1 – May 11: Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Bloom: Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm. Friday through Sunday from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm. Closed Mondays.

May 12 – July 31: Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 am until 8:30 pm (except June 3, 10:00 am until 4:00 pm), Wednesday 10:00 am until 6:00 pm (except May 14 & 21, 10:00 am until 8:30 pm), Members’ Summer Evenings Wednesdays from May 28 until September 3. Friday through Sunday from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. Closed Mondays (except open on Memorial Day, May 26 from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Admission: Adults: $22, Seniors (65+): $16, Students 12+ with ID: $16, Children under 12: Free. BBG Members: Free. Please visit the website for additional information on admission.

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens is a must to visit!

Directions, Parking and Other Transportation Information: Please see full details on their website.

Good To Know Before You Go: Do allow yourself a minimum of 3 hours to fully experience and appreciate the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. They have restaurant options onsite for visitors who would like to spend more time in the garden, there is a gift, and there is on-site parking available (for additional fee).

For more information on the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, on its upcoming events, or to purchase tickets, please visit their website: https://www.bbg.org/ 

Brooklyn Botanic Garden (There are three entrances)
150 Eastern Parkway
455 Flatbush Avenue
990 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11225
United States
Telephone: +1-718-623-7200
Website: https://www.bbg.org/

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrooklynBotanic
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