It’s NYC Cherry Blossom season: 5 vibrant hotspots for photographers
When do cherry blossoms bloom? Spring has arrived in New York City and one of the first signs is Cherry Blossom pictures. Also known as sakura trees, these eye-catching plants, sprout beautiful white and pink leaves every year for a short period of time.
The Cherry blossoms are a beautiful representation of New York City’s rich history of diversity. Much like many New Yorkers, the trees are not from the U.S.
The sakura tree finds its roots in Japan. You can find more than 20 different varieties of sakura trees growing for centuries there. In New York City, many cherry blossoms were gifts, planted by Japanese residents. In Japan, the Sakura is a symbol of love and good luck.
What a strange thing! to be alive beneath cherry blossoms”
Kobayashi Issa
When do NYC cherry blossoms bloom?
It is difficult to predict when in spring the Cherry Blossoms will bloom. Climate and daylight contribute to when they’re ready to show off their foliage.
Aside from that, the appearance of the sakura differs with each stage of bloom. The best time for cherry blossom pictures is when they peak. Not only that but the trees don’t stay in bloom for long.
Are we outside, tho?
Sakura trees only hold their blossom for 10 days or around 2 weeks. Our friends over at the Brooklyn botanical gardens are updating us with “Cherry Watch” so you know when the right time is.
As a result, you need to capture your aesthetic NYC cherry blossom pictures quickly for your Instagram followers.
1. Brooklyn Botanical gardens
Top of the list is The Brooklyn Botanical gardens. The Gardens pay homage to the trees of Japanese roots in their Hill-and-Pond Garden. Here you will find an authentic Japanese torii or the red arc gate shrine.
In Japan, they are used to identify sacred spots. These gates make a great addition to your cherry blossom pictures by showing respect to the Japanese culture they originated from.
2. Sakura Park in Riverside park
Sakura Park is named after the 2,000 sakura trees planted in New York. This park features the most common type of sakura tree in Japan, the Yoshino cherry tree. The Yoshino cherry trees were gifts planted in Riverside park from Japan.
3. Central Park Reservoir cherry blossoms
Central Park is home to more than 170 types of trees, ranging in all sizes and colors. 35 Yoshino sakura trees greet visitors by the reservoir.
This magnificent sight is perfect for amateur and professional photographers to capture the contrast between water and plant.
Here’s a map of where to find more cherry blossoms.
4. Roosevelt Island Sakura
Take a Tram to Roosevelt Island and capture some aerial Cherry Blossom pictures. These beautifully vibrant pink trees will stand out in every photograph.
You can find some vibrant Japanese Kwanzan sakura trees in the northern part of Roosevelt Island’s cherry tree walk.
5. Green-Wood Cemetery
A cemetery might be the last place you’d think to look to find life. However, the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn is filled with plant life.
The grim tombstones and breathtakingly designed mausoleum are outshined by the vibrant leaves in spring.
Honorable mention: Branch Brook Park
Not exactly New York, but just a PATH train away. Newark’s iconic Branch Brook Park has more than 5,200 Japanese cherry blossoms trees. That’s more than Washington, D.C.
The colorful pink hues are a rare sight outside spring so take advantage of the changing of the season and capture those cherry blossom pictures.