Where To Find Cherry Blossom Trees In Chicago This Spring
By Jim Bochnowski in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 31, 2015 8:50PM
In some parts of the country, one of the first true signs of spring is the annual blossoming of cherry blossom trees. Although warm weather has seemingly eluded the midwest for the most part of this year, whenever it does arrives in Chicago you can find cherry blossoms here, too.
The Chicago Botanic Garden, located in Glencoe, was the recipient of twenty cherry blossom trees in 2012 in honor of the 100th anniversary of the first gift of a cherry blossom tree to the United States. These trees are located in the Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden inside the Botanic Garden, a 17-acre lakeside sanctuary featuring three islands.
If you don't want to leave the city, you can still find trees at the Garden of the Phoenix. Located near the Museum of Science and Industry in Jackson Park, the Garden of the Phoenix was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (of Central Park fame) in 1893 for the World's Columbian Exposition. Unfortunately, due to World War II and a fire to the original Phoenix Pavilion structure, the garden fell into disrepair over the ensuing years. In 1993, however, to commemorate the 20 year anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Chicago and Osaka, the city and the Garden of the Phoenix foundation began to refurbish the area.
Today at the site you can find a growing and blossoming urban park, which features 120 cherry blossoms originally planted in 2013 to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the park and "to celebrate the relationship between Japan and Chicago."
At least you'll be able to see them blossom whenever they finally do decide to bloom, which is typically in April.