Cherry blossoms are in full bloom at downtown Mississauga park

Cherry blossom season in Mississauga has arrived, and they’re in full bloom right now at Kariya Park near the city’s downtown core.

Kariya Park, a tranquil Japanese-style greenspace named for Mississauga’s sister city in Japan, is one of the best places to catch glimpses of the blossoms and their ethereal beauty.

But, as the saying goes, you must act quickly if you want to see the blossoms in bloom.

“What a beautiful sight to see,” City of Mississauga officials tweeted today (May 17). “The blossoms only last for a short while, so don’t miss your chance to see them.”

Peak cherry blossom season typically comes in late April and into the first couple of weeks in May, depending on the weather. It lasts only a week to 10 days or so.

When the blossoms do arrive, it’s a clear sign of spring.

Check out a video of the cherry blossoms at Kariya Park here.

The cherry blossoms at Kariya Park have bloomed🌸 What a beautiful sight to see👀

The blossoms only last for a short while, so don't miss your chance to see them🌸https://t.co/hft6gJeVH0 pic.twitter.com/GBuBFz3n5M

— City of Mississauga (@citymississauga) May 17, 2022

Cherry blossoms have a celebrated history in Japanese art and culture, City of Mississauga officials note, adding many of the world’s cherry blossom tree varieties come from the Japanese cherry tree (Sakura).

The delicate flowers, often soft white, blush pink and dark rose, bloom for just a few days at the start of spring.

Outside of Mississauga, people can catch cherry blossom season at High Park in Toronto, Centennial Park in Etobicoke (near Mississauga’s border), Broadacres Park in Etobicoke, Spencer Smith Park and Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington and, a little farther away, in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

This year also marks 40 years of Mississauga’s sister city relationship with Kariya.

To celebrate the occasion, Mississauga officials planted seven new cherry blossom trees in the downtown park on May 11. Six of the trees were received from Kariya as an anniversary gift while the other comes from a Mississauga business.

The City says Kariya Park is home to several ornate garden beds, unique Japanese décor, a marsh and pond, rhododendrons, pines, ginkgo, sweetgum, magnolia trees and more than 65 cherry blossom trees of four different varieties.

Mississauga has called Kariya its sister city since 1981. The Japanese city features a Mississauga Park, opened in 2001, that’s complete with a replica of Mississauga’s City Hall.

Kariya Park in Mississauga opened in July 1992.