Spring at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens transforms the landscape into a breathtaking celebration of pink and white as cherry blossoms burst into bloom. These delicate flowers create a magical atmosphere that draws visitors from across the city and beyond.
The gardens’ collection includes various cherry tree species that bloom at slightly different times, creating a spectacular show that lasts several weeks.
1. Kanzan Cherry Trees Along Cherry Esplanade
The double-flowering Kanzan cherries create the most dramatic display in the entire garden. Walking through this avenue feels like entering a pink cloud.
These trees bloom slightly later than other varieties, usually peaking in late April or early May. The blossoms are particularly full and ruffled, with about 30 petals per flower compared to the typical five.
During my last visit, I noticed how the petals create a beautiful pink carpet on the ground when they fall, making this spot perfect for both looking up and down.
2. Yoshino Cherries At Cherry Walk
Yoshino cherries announce the beginning of cherry blossom season at the gardens. Their single white blossoms with hints of pink appear earlier than most varieties, often in late March or early April.
These trees were gifts from Japan in 1912, making them not just beautiful but historically significant. The gentle cascading shape creates stunning reflections in the nearby pond.
Something I’ve always loved about these trees is how they seem to glow in the early morning light – arriving just after opening hours offers a peaceful experience before the crowds gather.
3. Weeping Higan Cherry Near Japanese Hill-And-Pond Garden
The graceful branches of this tree cascade toward the ground, creating a waterfall effect when covered in pale pink blooms. Standing beneath its canopy feels like being inside a living sculpture.
This particular specimen is one of the oldest cherry trees in the garden, with a gnarled trunk that tells the story of decades of Brooklyn springs. Its location near the Japanese garden creates a perfectly harmonious scene.
The weeping habit makes this tree especially photogenic, and I’ve found the best pictures come from standing slightly uphill to capture the flowing branch structure.
4. Okame Cherry Trees Along The Main Path
Early bloomers that brighten the gardens when most trees are still bare, Okame cherries feature vivid carmine-pink flowers that seem to pop against spring’s first blue skies. Their bell-shaped blooms create a cheerful entrance experience.
These hybrid trees combine the best features of their parent species, with exceptional cold hardiness that ensures reliable blooming even after harsh winters. The bark has an attractive reddish-copper tone that adds winter interest.
Last year, I caught these trees flowering in mid-March while snow still covered parts of the ground – the contrast was simply stunning.
5. Sargent Cherry In The Cherry Cultivars Area
The single-petaled, deep pink blossoms of the Sargent cherry create a more subtle but equally beautiful display. What makes this variety special is how the flowers appear before the leaves, covering each branch completely.
Native to Japan’s mountain regions, this species has a naturally spreading form that creates wonderful shade in summer. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s specimen stands as a testament to thoughtful collection curation.
My favorite aspect is how the bark peels in horizontal strips, revealing cinnamon-colored layers beneath – a feature that provides year-round interest even after the flowers have faded.
6. Autumn Flowering Cherry Near Lily Pool Terrace
Unlike its spring-only relatives, this unusual cherry offers two separate blooming periods – one in spring and another surprise showing in fall. The semi-double pale pink flowers have a delicate, almost paper-like quality.
The garden’s specimen grows near a water feature, creating a perfect composition for photography enthusiasts. Fall blooms are typically smaller but arrive when most other flowering trees have long finished their display.
I stumbled upon this tree blooming in October last year and was amazed by how different the same flowers felt against autumn’s golden backdrop rather than spring’s fresh greens.
7. Fugenzo Cherry At Cherry Circle
One of the latest bloomers in the collection, Fugenzo cherries extend the cherry blossom season into May with their distinctive pink flowers that age to a deeper rose color. Each blossom contains a tiny green “leaf” in its center – actually a pistil that failed to develop.
The name Fugenzo refers to the white elephant that carried the Buddha, reflecting this variety’s cultural significance in Japan. The Brooklyn specimen creates a perfect circular canopy when viewed from below.
Standing under this tree during peak bloom, I watched as countless petals drifted down around me like pink snow – a moment of pure magic that happens just once each year.