April Heralds Another Gorgeous Sakura Season In Singapore
Everyone loves the sakura – aka cherry blossom – season in Japan.
But it’s hard to love spring in Singapore when our weather decides to go crazy on us with an extremely hot March followed by an April full of thundery showers.
Trumpet trees along Ulu Pandan Park Connector
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The upside is that the climate is perfect for our trumpet trees to immediately burst into full bloom.
Singaporeans woke up on Wednesday (3 Apr) to a post by NParks declaring the dawn of Singapore’s ‘sakura season’ as they shared multiple pictures of flowering trees islandwide.
Tree geeks, take note of trumpet flowers
The exact kind of ‘sakura’ Singapore is home to is a trumpet flower – aka Tabebuia rosea – which grows perennially.
Blossoms of perennial trees usually bloom for a short time, subject to climate conditions, each flowering year — about 1-3 weeks on average.
Trumpet trees favour tropical climates and can grow up to a towering 18 to 35m in height, plus span a grand metre in girth.
So those who are taller don’t have to worry about not being able to get the blossoms in your shot for the ‘gram.
White Trumpet Tree at West Coast Park
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They also bloom in a stunning off-white colour that’s oh-so-vintage too, if you’re not that into the pink aesthetic.
Myrtle blossoms are pretty in pink too
A second variety of blossoms known as Lagerstroemia will also be in season locally — let’s just call them ‘crepe myrtle’ flowers because the name’s a mouthful.
Yes, just like Harry Potter’s ghostly love interest Myrtle.
When viewed close-up, they are a more intense shade of pink, and have 5 visible petals similar to an actual sakura flower.
A Crepe Myrtle tree along Tampines Road
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Here’s a heart-shaped tree full of them along Tampines Road because why not.
Heralding spring in the heartlands
We can’t think of a better way to herald the beginning of April — besides thunderstorms, 34°C weather & lots of hilarious prank products.
Flowering Trumpet Tree at North Buona Vista Road
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So don’t just look at these pictures while you’re on a public bus. Remember to glance out your window to admire what nature has planned for us this year.
In many ways, although Japan’s cherry blossoms have captured the imagination of the world, Singapore’s sakura season will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Featured image from NParks on Facebook.
