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Cherry blossom viewing in Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia has one of the mildest climates in Canada and is one of the first in the country to see signs of spring. Its climate is perfect for a wide variety of gardening, leading to its reputation as the “Garden City of Canada.” Come spring, cherry and plum blossom trees line Victoria streets with white and pink blooms.

View Street
There are several varieties of cherry and plum blossoms in a range of hues throughout the city. Some bloom early spring, some late spring. The plum trees on View Street are often the first to bloom. Blossoms can be found downtown and throughout the city. The neighbourhoods of Fairfield and James Bay have the highest concentration of trees. James Bay also has a large collection of heritage homes and is within walking distance of downtown.

Moss Street in Fairfield is known for its abundance of cherry blossoms

A cul-de-sac off Moss Street
Trees date to the 1930s when the Japanese community donated two thousand dollars to the City of Victoria after winning two top prizes with Victoria Day Parade floats. Cherry and plum trees were imported from Japan. City of Victoria gardeners propagated hardy root stock, resulting in twenty-seven varieties of trees.

The blossoms attract photographers
Hanami means “flower viewing” in Japanese, but commonly refers only to cherry blossom viewing. Traditionally it means a picnic party under the blooming trees. My hanami was a drive around Victoria streets with my sister to view the blossoms. Often, when we stopped we came across other viewers and their cameras.

The attraction on Linden Street was not cherry blossoms, but magnolias at the start of their blooming.

Magnolia blossoms

South Turner Street may be James Bay’s most famous street in spring. Someone is enjoying a horse carriage ride down it.

Beacon Hill Park
Blossoms can start as early as mid-February and run through March, depending on the particular winter and spring. Victoria experienced a harsh winter this year and blossoms were later than normal. Most of these photos were taken on the last day of March. Many trees were in full blossom, a few were already dropping petals, and others were still in bud.
The Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society, an organization celebrating Japanese-Canadian culture, has a Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) page, which describes the varieties of plum and cherry trees to be found in Victoria and identifies best viewing locations. And you may want to visit the famous Butchart Gardens, which will be full of pink hues in cherry blossom time.
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28 Comments
Susan Cooper/findingourwaynow.com
April 5, 2017 at 1:50 pmI love this time of year for the beauty it brings. The cherry blossoms are just amazing. How I wish I could walk among them now.
Donna Janke
April 9, 2017 at 1:52 pmSusan, I haven’t often been in a place when the cherry blossoms are blooming. It was great to see them open up over the couple weeks we were there.
Jan
April 5, 2017 at 4:25 pmAbsolutely gorgeous! So many cherry blossoms! I’ve never seen much of anything here in Toronto but of course now I’ll on the lookout. Victoria-envy of the weather and cherry blossoms!
Donna Janke
April 9, 2017 at 1:53 pmJan, this winter was colder than normal for Victoria, with several snowfalls which don’t happen often, so the blossoms were a bit later than usual. I’m glad I was there to see them.
Ken Dowell
April 5, 2017 at 4:27 pmThe cherry blossoms look beautiful. And, better yet, they are a sure sign of spring.
Donna Janke
April 9, 2017 at 1:54 pmKen, and a delightful sign of spring at that.
Carole Terwilliger Meyers
April 5, 2017 at 7:15 pmThe cherry blossoms seem to be super-gorgeous everywhere this year! Love these scenes in Victoria, one of my favorite cities. Thanks for sharing.
Donna Janke
April 9, 2017 at 1:55 pmCarole, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. It does seem to be a good year in many places for cherry blossoms.
Sue Reddel
April 6, 2017 at 12:26 pmI really appreciate learning about another great destination to enjoy those beautiful cherry blossoms. Victoria has been on our must-visit list for a while now. You’ve added another wonderful reason. Thanks!
Donna Janke
April 9, 2017 at 1:55 pmSue, there are lots of good reasons to visit Victoria, whether it is at cherry blossom time or another time of year. It’s a beautiful city.
Donna Meyer
April 8, 2017 at 12:44 amOh Donna, how beautiful! This really makes me want to schedule a visit to Victoria for next spring. So MANY blossoming trees. Spectacular!
Donna Janke
April 9, 2017 at 1:57 pmDonna, I loved seeing the cherry blossoms. I’ve visited the city a number of times, but my visits ever coincided with cherry blossom time before.
Anita and Richard @ No Particular Place To Go
April 8, 2017 at 11:54 amWow! Your photos of the cherry blossoms are jaw-droppingly stunning, Donna. I can easily imagine driving around for a few afternoons to take in these beautiful blooms. Looks like spring comes to Victoria with a special kind of style! Anita
Donna Janke
April 9, 2017 at 1:58 pmAnita, jaw-droppingly stunning for sure. It was a delight to turn down a street and see it lined and canopied with blooms. On some streets you could get a glimpse of the ocean beyond the. Beautiful.
Nathalie
April 8, 2017 at 8:56 pmI love this time of year. Vancouver has bee blooming the passed few weeks and the cheery blossoms are at their peak right now. I’d love to head to Victoria one year to check them out there.
Donna Janke
April 9, 2017 at 2:00 pmNathalie, I know Vancouver also cherry blossoms, but I’ve never been there at the right time to see it. Another year perhaps.
McCool Travel
April 8, 2017 at 9:38 pmLooks like an ideal time to visit Victoria. I have only been there in the summer and way too many years ago. Hope to visit Victoria, Canada again soon.
Donna Janke
April 9, 2017 at 2:01 pmCharles, it is a good time to visit for the cherry blossoms and spring flowers. But other times of year offer other attractions and all kinds of flowers.
Kristin Henning
April 9, 2017 at 3:12 pmWow, I’ve only had one quick trip to Victoria, and not in blossom season. It looks like non-stop beauty! Wishing for scratch-and-sniff posts!
Donna Janke
April 19, 2017 at 7:53 amKristin, I like he idea of scratch and sniff posts!
RoseMary Griffith
April 11, 2017 at 4:01 pmWow. So utterly lovely. We stumbled on the cherry blossoms blooming in Washington, DC one spring and it was magical. Victoria looks like I ought to put it on next year’s travel schedule. Thank you so much for sharing.
Donna Janke
April 19, 2017 at 7:55 amRoseMary, it felt magical to me too.
travelgalcindy
April 11, 2017 at 9:03 pmDonna – I love Victoria, but had no idea it had so many cherry trees! Now I have to plan a trip out there some day!
Donna Janke
April 19, 2017 at 7:56 amCindy, I too love Victoria and have visited many times. It was a delight to be there during cherry blossom time.
lenie5860
June 5, 2017 at 10:28 amDonna, when you live in Victoria, BC you probably won’t need Horticultural Therapy – it’s right there provided for you. Must have been amazing seeing all of that – how I envy you (but nicely LOL)
Donna Janke
June 7, 2017 at 1:22 pmLenie, there is definitely lots of horticultural therapy available in Canada’s Garden City. I was glad I was able to visit this spring during cherry blossom bloom time!
Jacob
February 28, 2018 at 4:24 pmSadly Victoria is no longer the City of Gardens. Rather, it is now the City of Garden Maintenance Noise. Expect a sonic assault from unnecessary leaf blowers and endless lawn maintenance whether you visit Beacon Hill Park or not. I should also add that the construction industry here is booming and so is the noise that accompanies it. Ear plugs are a wise investment for residents and visitors alike.
Donna Janke
March 2, 2018 at 3:49 pmJacob, noise pollution can certainly detract from enjoying things of visual beauty. I still find Victoria’s gardens really pretty, though.