Japanese Flowering Cherry trees in springtime at University of British Columbia
Situated at the western tip of the Point Grey peninsula, the UBC Campus is a lovely place to walk in spring when the Cherries are in bloom.
This is just a sampling, not a complete list of cherries found on campus.
Nitobe Memorial Garden, a serene Japanese traditional garden of understated beauty is worth a visit while on campus. Flowering Cherries include two Yoshino trees, Kanzan, Ojochin (Lantern Cherry), Joi-Noi, Pink Perfection, Shirofugen and Shogetsu. Please check their Web site for hours and fees or telephone 604-822-9666.
Some years the Yoshino, Shirotae and Tai Haku are all in various stages of bloom at the same time.
UBC, at a higher elevation than many of the neighbourhoods on the west side of Vancouver is cooler and will not always be in bloom at exactly the same time in cold, rainy years. But in sunny years typically the same species in bloom in west side neighbourhoods will also be in bloom at UBC.
Flowering months listed here are typical dates during a normal year. But these dates can change depending on numerous factors including rainfall, temperature and cloud cover.
From downtown Vancouver take any bus number that states UBC as its destination, for instance, route numbers 17, 25, 43, 44, 49, N17 to "UBC". Please consult the campus map near the bus loop for buildings listed here.
With the on-going construction on campus I am sure some trees listed here have been removed. This list will be updated Spring 2012.
Mid-March to mid-April
Yoshino -- Prunus x yedoensis
Graceful tree with curving branches. Almond-scented, single very pale pink or nearly pure white flowers. One of the most noticeable flowering trees in spring.
Chan Centre at East Mall and Crescent Road - 3 'Akebono' Yoshino trees;
International House at West Mall and Northwest Marine Drive -1 tree;
Memorial Road at West Mall - 1 side of street before the parkade;
Asian Centre (1871 West Mall Road) - 'Akebono' and Somei-yoshino trees;
Nitobe Garden - 2 trees - Yoshino and 'Akebono' Yoshino - admission fee;
Lower Mall at Nitobe Garden - 23 Some-yoshino trees and 2 very young 'Akebono' Yoshino - showstopper street;
University Boulevard (6400 block) between the West Mall and the Lower Mall - Somei-yoshino's on north side of street;
Bio Sciences Road (6300 block) - 6 Somei-yoshino and 5 Ito-kukuri on south side;
In front of UBC Bookstore - 1 'Akebono' Yoshino and 2 Somei-yoshino trees - some of the oldest trees on campus;
Mary Bollert Hall (6253 North West Marine Drive) - access parking lot off Cecil Green Park Road - 2 Yoshino;
Anthropology and Sociology Building (6303 North West Marine Drive ) at parking lot off Cecil Green Park Road - 1 Yoshino
Shirotae -- Prunus serrulata 'Shirotae'
Small flat-topped umbrella shaped tree with slightly fragrant semi-double pure snow-white blossoms.
Regent College at University Boulevard and Westbrook Mall - 65 Shirotae trees;
Chemistry Physics Building (6221 University Boulevard) - 3 Shirotae and 1 Shirofugen;
International House at West Mall and Northwest Marine Drive - 1 tree;
Memorial Road at the Parkade across from the Asian Centre - several trees;
Cecil Green Park House (6251 Cecil Green Park Road) - 1 tree
Tai Haku -- Prunus serrulata 'Taihaku'
Large wide-spreading tree with large, bowl-shaped, single pure white flowers.
Old bus stop on University Boulevard - 2 unpruned trees on hill;
George F. Curtis Building (Faculty of Law) parking lot on Walter Gage Road - 3 trees
Mid-to-late April
Ukon -- Prunus serrulata 'Ukon'
Small tree with a wide-spreading crown. Large pale creamy-yellow blossoms, green-tinged with pink center.
International House at West Mall and Northwest Marine Drive - 1 old tree
Ito-kukuri -- Prunus serrulata 'Ito-kukuri'
Opulent is the only word to describe the flowers on this umbrella-shaped tree. 12mm long pointed dark pink buds with red stripes open to tightly clustered light pink flowers with light pink stripes.
Extremely rare in Vancouver and worth seeing.
Bio Sciences Road (6300 block) - 5 Ito-kukuri and 6 Somei-yoshino and on south side;
6365 Bio Sciences Road - 1 tree
Pink Perfection -- Prunus serrulata 'Pink Perfection'
Often confused with the Kwanzan Cherry, Pink Perfection is said to have slightly paler pink outer petals with some white inner petals. The exquisite double flowers on this deciduous tree open from red buds and are born on long drooping stalks.
2136 West Mall - 6 trees
Kanzan -- Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan'
Vase-shaped cherry tree with very showy, large vivid purplish-pink double flowers hanging in clusters.
Acadia Road from Chancellor Boulevard to University Boulevard - both sides;
Chancellor Boulevard from Acadia Road to East Mall - Kanzan's on median with spring flowers planted underneath some of the trees
Shirofugen -- Prunus serrulata 'Shirofugen'
Wide-spreading tree with a flattened top. Spectacular double, pure white flowers fading to pink hang in long drooping clusters.
2329 West Mall - 12 trees in front of parking lot
Disclaimer: The content provided on this web site is for information purposes only. Although shuttermoments.ca attempts to keep the content of this Web site current, errors may occasionally occur. We will not know which trees have been removed by the University of British Columbia until we visit the streets listed here during the blossom season. We have attempted to correctly identify the trees but we may have identified some trees incorrectly. Therefore, all information and materials are provided "AS IS."
In no event will shuttermoments.ca be liable for any indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use of the information contained on this web site.
Document updated 2011 November 23