Cherry Blossoms Bloom In Brooklyn Marking The Start Of Spring

BROOKLYN, NY — New York City might not be done with snow this season, but spring has sprung in Brooklyn.

The first cherry blossoms started blooming in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden this week, exposing soft pink petals in the Prospect Park-adjacent garden, according to an announcement Monday.

First blooms have appeared on at least three trees since then, according to the garden, which released a "Cherry Watch" map, tracking blooming on a daily basis.

The first tree to blossom, officially named the Prunus × incam 'Okame,' is a hybrid of the Formosan and Fuji cherry trees, both of which are native to Japan.

Its blooming, which is usually at the start of the spring season, kicks off hanami in Japan; a time for celebrating the beauty of the cherry trees, synonymous with picnics and time outdoors with friends and family.

When the Brooklyn Botanic Garden cherry trees are in full bloom, some time between April 15 and May 15 of this year, the garden will extend its visiting hours in the morning and evening, giving patrons extra time to view the blossoms.

And, the blossoms aren't just within the confines of the garden: as one neighbor pointed out, they're popping up in Prospect Park, too.