One of the first blooms of the spring season are the tree blossoms around the city. They are beautiful and offer a perfect backdrop for photos – or the subject of a photo! They signify that the cold winter months are gone and the warm summer months are coming. Read on for the time of year to see different blooms and the best locations to see the Ottawa blossoms. Find apple and cherry blossom photos imposed on a map at the end of the post with updates to the map to follow this spring!
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When Do Cherry Blossoms Bloom in Ottawa?
The blossoms bloom in Ottawa between April and May. Of course, this depends on the weather that year and what type of bloom you’re looking to find. Magnolias and cherry blossoms bloom as early as mid April and apple blossoms bloom in early May. While the photos in this post from April 21, 2021 look beautiful, a majority of the trees were past peak, while some were just starting to bloom.
Magnolias: Late April to Early May. Magnolias are a large flowering plant. They grow best in full sun and die very quickly if there is a frost. You can start to see these trees bloom in late April and fade by early May. The photo below on the left is a macro shot of a magnolia from April 21, 2021 during a snowy morning. The photo below on the right was taken early May 2019.
Cherry blossoms: Late April to Early May. You can find both pink and white blossoms as early as late April into the beginning of May. The photos below are both from April 21, 2021.
Crabapple Blossoms: Early to mid May. Light pink and deep pink blooms are found on these crabapple trees in early to mid May. The photos below were taken on May 12, 2021.
Best Locations for Apple and Cherry Blossom | Ottawa
The best location to see apple and cherry blossoms in Ottawa is the Dominion Arboretum. There is a collection of cherry blossom trees down the path to the north of the Friends of Central Experimental Farm building just off Prince of Wales. You’ll also find a beautiful cherry blossom tree, shown below, right beside the building (photo taken April 21, 2021). This map also has the locations of blossom trees in the arboretum.
The crabapple trees line Prince of Wales on the east side of the building, north of the roundabout. These bloom in early to mid May.
More Cherry Blossom Ottawa Locations and Map
The Sunken Garden at the National Art Gallery has apple blossom trees that bloom mid May and the Canadian Museum of History (in Gatineau) has cherry blossom trees in mid to late April. Walk or bike along the Rideau Canal to spot a few blossom trees along the water! You can find some at the Laurier Bridge, near Waverley Street, near the Bank Street bridge at Queen Elizabeth Parkway and the Flora MacDonald footbridge. There are 2 beautiful trees along the canal at the Shaw Centre (two photos below taken May 12, 2019). Major’s Hill Park has blossoms along MacKenzie Avenue, and you might catch tulips blooming at the same time!
If you’re looking for more spring blooms, check out the posts below!