What’s going on with the cherry blossoms in High Park? Here’s an update

Following weeks of unpredictable weather in Toronto, we are slowly inching closer and closer to a clearer picture of when the cherry blossom trees in High Park could reach their peak bloom.

According to local cherry blossom expert, Sakura Steve, who regularly shares updates on the trees’ development on his website, Sakura in High Park, the buds are slowly (but steadily) progressing despite all of the unpredictable weather conditions we’ve been seeing lately.

In his latest update, Sakura Steve notes that nearly all buds have now reached stage 2 of development, bringing them even closer to their colourful, annual display.

“This is the stage where the buds begin to take on a fuller, rounder, more bulbous shape and reveal more exposed bright green tips,” the update reads. “The couple of days of warmer temperatures, especially into the high double digits, really helped to propel the buds ahead.”

However, with colder temperatures returning this week, progress is expected to slow slightly before moving into the next stages of blooming. Thankfully, temperatures are set to climb again very soon, including a high of 16 C on Thursday, sunny conditions throughout Saturday, and highs reaching 19 C early next week, meaning the buds could begin advancing more quickly once again.

As Sakura Steve notes, peak bloom in High Park typically occurs in late April to early May, and the expert now predicts that blossoms will begin opening toward the end of April and continue into the first week of May.

Meanwhile, the High Park Nature Centre reports in its latest update that the cherry blossoms are just beginning to show their green buds and are slowly entering stage 1 of the bloom process.

The centre notes that it’s still too early to make a definitive call on peak bloom timing, although more accurate predictions should be possible in the coming weeks, depending on how the weather plays out.

Stage 2 typically occurs approximately two weeks before peak bloom, when the buds swell, and small flowers (florets) start to become visible. After this, the florets, which are a deep pink colour at this stage, start to extend out of the buds.

During stage 4, which takes place six to 10 days before peak bloom, the flower stems get longer, and individual blossoms can be seen. Four to six days before peak bloom, the fluffy white Sakura blossoms begin to open.

Peak bloom begins when at least 70 percent of the blossoms are open, and once they reach this stage, flowers typically last between four and 10 days, depending on weather conditions.

Bloom timing can vary significantly year to year and is largely dependent on the forecast. According to the High Park Nature Centre, peak bloom occurred on May 3 in 2025, on April 22 in 2024, and on April 20 in 2023.

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