In 2020, if a cherry blossom blooms in the city, and there’s no one to see – will it still look pretty? Yes. It will. But you won’t be there this year, will you? Even Sakura Watch is on pause to discourage folks from social the-opposite-of-distancing when the cherries bloom in High Park.

So, while you’re home sheltering in place, sit back in your comfy chair and enjoy these from 2019 at the Toronto Botanical Garden – plus a few from other rambles. At any time, click a picture for the full-size slide show.

Confession: I’ve never seen the High Park Sakura trees in bloom. First, they’re on the wrong side (ha ha!) of the city. Second, who wants to fight the crowds, even before the scourge of COVID-19! But, when it’s safe to do so, the city includes many other places to see cherry blossoms.

After inhaling the view on the east side of the botanical garden, I wandered off to explore the valley – what has been known as Edwards Gardens, but is now being incorporated into the Toronto Botanical Garden. Actually, I was looking for rhododendrons and the TBG Teaching Garden. But not far away were the trees below. On the left, below, a photographer. On the right, the view that probably enthralled her.

Part of what makes these ephemeral flowers so alluring is the way they’re changed by the angle and light.

Don’t be fooled by the relative lack of people. Only patience and a quick shutter finger allowed me to avoid them. However, I wish I’d been allowed to be less devious about sneaking the photo below.

In search of photo ops, I made our walking group detour to find local blossom spots last year. Yes, I’m bossy that way. We found some in a small patch near Cherry Street and Villiers. In Woodbine Park, also in the east end, some juvenile trees have been planted near the pond. Hopefully, we’ll be out of quarantine by they time they’re big enough to put on a real show.

And, for real showiness, it’s hard to beat the big, fat pompoms of a double cherry. Some from my travels, far and near.

Does this help take the edge off your craving for cherries this year? Let’s hope next year brings better things. Stay well, friends!