Here in Victoria, BC, Canada, we have this quaint little tradition a bit earlier in the year called the Victoria Flower Count. (This year It’s March 8th to 15th) It’s described as “light-hearted,” and a way to foster civic pride, and advertise our beautiful city to potential visitors. Basically, everyone that participates goes and counts all the blossoms they see for one week, then they tally the results; last year’s total was up around 46 billion. That’s billion. With a “B”.

Of course this is admittedly imprecise, but it’s all in fun after all; we’re just celebrating the mild climate that our tiny corner of the country is blessed with, while the rest of the country is still in a deepfreeze. Still, I can’t help but wonder if there isn’t a certain “nyaa-nyaa” element to it, given that the total number of blossoms visible in all of Manitoba in early spring is probably in the neighborhood of seven.

Anyway, down to business.

Many of the blossoms that get counted are those that cover the myriad flowering cherry and plums (both in the prunus family) that line our streets and decorate our parks. Today’s plant is a Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) , seen here lining Oliphant street in Victoria. Yoshino Cherries grow quickly in their youth, ultimately reaching at much as 40ft (12m) tall and, nearly as wide over 20-30 years. This is an early spring flowering cherry, featuring a proliferation of pale pink to white blossoms with yellow stamens that open on bare branches pretty much all at once. These are followed by broad, oval green leaves that are about 6in (15cm) long, which turn shades of orange in the fall. The fruits,  which are edible but generally too acidic to be desirable, are small (3/8 in, or 1cm), and appear after the flowering has finished. They begin green before  ripening through red to black, and are enjoyed by birds.

Cheers,

John