The first Toronto cherry blossoms of 2024 are now in full bloom

Locals flocked to Harbord Street over the weekend to catch the first cherry blossoms of the spring 2024 season in full bloom outside Toronto's Robarts Library.

Cherry trees on the library's south lawn, made of monolithic concrete, are now adding pink hues to the landscape, as they have been every spring for nearly two decades.

The trees outside Robarts Library were donated to the University of Toronto by the Consulate General of Japan in Toronto and planted there in October 2005. These 70 trees were planted as part of the Sakura Project, which aims to strengthen relations between Japan. and Canada.

Nineteen years after they were first planted outside the library, they have become a popular springtime attraction for photographers looking to beat the High Park crowds.

Wildlife photographer Henry Huy captured some stunning images of cherry blossoms this weekend, including impressive photos of insect life interacting with these colorful flowers.

“As a wildlife photographer, I was delighted to see that the cherry blossoms at Robarts Library also have wildlife,” Hugh tells blogTO.

“Red admiral butterflies were flying around these flowers and taking nectar from the flowers,” Hugh said. “Honey bees were also collecting pollen. I got some beautiful pictures of bees close to the flowers.”

Hugh expects cherry blossoms in High Park on April 24 if good weather holds, according to a local sakura expert who watches the blooms every year.