Cherry blossoms might arrive sooner than expected in Mississauga

Cherry blossom season in Mississauga and across the GTA might arrive a bit earlier than usual this spring thanks to last week’s spell of hot, summer-like weather.

While the blossoms and their ethereal beauty weren’t in full bloom last year in Mississauga until the middle of May, they could arrive a full three weeks ahead of that this spring.

Given last week’s unusually warm temperatures across southern Ontario, which on a couple of days rose to nearly 30 degrees Celsius, the cherry blossoms could bloom in Mississauga and beyond sometime between this Thursday (April 20) and April 28, according to Sakura Watch, a website that monitors the blooms in Toronto.

Whether that prediction turns out to be accurate or the blooms arrive a little later, one of the best places in Mississauga to see them once they are in full bloom is Kariya Park, near the city’s downtown core.

Kariya Park, a tranquil Japanese-style greenspace named for Mississauga’s sister city in Japan, is a popular spot each year for people looking to catch glimpses of the blossoms.

Once the blossoms do bloom, they don’t last very long. So, people looking to spot them up close should do so quickly after they arrive.

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 an earlier video of the cherry blossoms at Kariya Park here.

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

There are some 65 cherry blossom trees in Kariya Park.

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 41 years of Mississauga’s sister city relationship with Kariya, Japan.

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.