Guess what? Cherry blossoms don’t exclusively grow in Japan. You can see them bloom in Los Angeles, too!
Check these delicate spring flowers out in these stunning locations.
Lake Balboa
The cherry blossoms at Lake Balboa is one of the main highlights of the Anthony C. Beilenson Park. With hundreds of sakura trees lining the bank, it makes a spectacular display when in bloom during springtime.
According to sources, a Japanese company that had an office in the Valley region gifted the city with 1,000 cherry blossom trees. Unfortunately, the beautiful pink blossoms have fallen victim to harsh droughts in the previous years and are down to 486 trees.
Nevertheless, Lake Balboa is still one of the most remarkable spots in L.A. where you can see cherry blossoms in spring for free. Open every day, sunrise to sunset, you can also do boating, biking, jogging, and have a fun picnic day here.
Address: 6300 Balboa Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91406
Descanso Gardens
The Descanso Gardens boasts of an idyllic Japanese garden featuring an arched bride over a stream filled with swimming koi fishes, a rustic teahouse designed by famous architect Whitney Smith in 1944 and a traditional farmhouse called minka, designed by renowned architect, Kenneth Masao Nishimoto, in 1969.
All these structures are even made more authentic-looking, if you will, with plants and flowers that have come all the way from different parts of Asia. The list includes different kinds of camellias, azaleas, mondo grass, and Japanese maples. However, Descanso Gardens is more stunning in spring when Japanese cherry blossoms and plum trees are abloom.
Another must-see at Descanso is its breathtaking, five-acre Rose Garden, which is home to more than 1,600 significant species.
Address: 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
The Japanese Garden, SuihoEn
SuihoEn means “garden of water and fragrance.” This serene garden designed by Dr. Koichi Kawana overlooks a water reclamation facility. As any Japanese garden, it gives Los Angeles a taste of the sought-after cherry blossom flowers during spring months.
Based on its website, the SuihoEn Japanese Garden evokes the style of a Chisen-Kaiyushiki, or a wet garden with promenade, which is reminiscent of the beautiful strolling gardens in 18th and 19th century Japan for feudal lords. The lush sprawling gardens also feature an enchanting wisteria arbor, waterfalls, and stone lanterns handmade by artisans back in Japan.
Address:6100 Woodley Ave. Van Nuys, CA 91406
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