It’s on a day like today that I’m truly appreciative of the kindness of others.
Dan Marzocco, from the City of Victoria, related a story from way back in the 1930’s: The Japanese community produced a fabulous float for the May Day Parade. It won in both daytime and night-time parades. They donated the sizeable cash awards back to the city. The understanding was that Victoria would use the money to purchase & plant cherry trees around town.
Win – Win !!
The Japanese community shared a lovely memento of their heritage. And now, 80 some years later, I’m not exactly sure which trees are from that specific buy, but the idea sure has caught on. We’re still benefiting from that gift.
Thank you to the Japanese community, and thank you to anyone who plants a flowering tree.
-30-
© SVSeekins and Garden Variety Life, 2013
Garden Variety Life 
What could be more beautiful? We have to wait another month before our blossoms will appear. Keep snapping the photos and we’ll get them up on Pinterest!
Thanks for the photo ops, Susie. It was a nice way to spend the morning.
that is spectacular!
They are sooo pretty. I wonder if they would survive in Kamloops, I think we are zone 4
If sited carefully, ornamental cherries can survive in zone 4! BUT check your local area by-laws… the ornamentals can harbour a virus that hurts the real cherry production. Some parts of BC (like the Okanagan) don’t allow ornamental cherries. Real fruit has got to be better anyway 🙂
http://www.canadiangardening.com/plants/trees-and-shrubs/the-graceful-beauty-of-ornamental-cherry-trees/a/21014/2