After several years of disappointing outcomes, Chicago’s cherry blossoms have returned in full glory this spring. Visitors from throughout the Chicagoland area gathered at Jackson Park over the weekend to admire the pink and white trees, delightfully set against the backdrop of the upcoming Obama Presidential Center and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
The resurgence of this year’s blooms can be attributed to favorable temperature conditions, as stated by Karen Szyjka, operations support manager with the Chicago Park District.
To achieve a successful cherry blossom bloom, Szyjka explained that the trees require a period of cold temperatures, commonly referred to as “chill hours,” which help them break dormancy and produce flowers.
In recent years, erratic temperatures and early springs have disrupted this natural cycle, causing many buds to develop leaves instead of blossoms.
Allison Ernst, 28, expressed her joy upon witnessing the blooms after last year’s disappointing season.
Having previously visited Jackson Park at the end of a bloom when many of the petals had already fallen, she and her fiancé, Brendan Hein, made it a point to come this year to catch the cherry blossoms in their full splendor.
“It’s beautiful,” Ernst shared. “I’ve been loving seeing all of the trees around Chicago going into bloom, and it gives so much hope that summer is coming and the weather is changing.
It’s a really good visual indicator of the seasons turning over.”
For others, the bloom marked a first-time experience in Chicago.
Clarissa Obregon, 28, seized the opportunity on her day off, despite the gloomy weather.
“It’s still a lovely day, regardless of the rain.
There’s a good amount of people here, enjoying it with me, so that makes it even better,” she remarked.
As a flight attendant, her days off can be unpredictable, and she decided to spend her time sketching the cherry blossoms by the Columbia Basin lagoon in a small green notebook she obtained from Boise, Idaho.
Obregon aims to fill the notebook with her flower sketches, celebrating the blooms.
The history of the cherry blossom trees in Jackson Park dates back to 2013, when the first set was planted to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.
In the subsequent years, an additional 50 trees were introduced by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago, marking their 50th anniversary and reinforcing the relationship between Chicago and Japan.
The Park District also planted 34 more trees in the fall of 2022 around the Museum of Science and Industry, increasing the total number to 190 cherry blossom trees.
To celebrate their 60th anniversary, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago is also funding the addition of 60 more cherry blossom trees to the grove.
In 2024, another 20 trees were established in the southwest Columbia Basin, as well as within the north Wooded Island and Japanese Garden areas.
Plans are in place to identify sites for an additional 20 trees this year, which will be planted in both the spring and fall planting seasons.
While achieving a good bloom is always a concern, Chicagoans enjoy witnessing the entire bloom cycle.
Szyjka noted that cherry blossoms are integral to a cultural tradition known as hanami, which translates from Japanese as “flower viewing.”
This tradition emphasizes not just the beauty of the blooms but also the transient nature of the flowers.
“The critical and beautiful aspect of watching and participating in the whole process is that there’s never a guarantee of blooms.
Some years may be spectacular while others fall short — but that’s reflective of life itself,” Szyjka commented.
When the blooming cycle concludes and the heart-shaped petals settle on the ground or float through the air, their beauty remains for many to cherish.
Szyjka believes that the aftermath is just as stunning.
“To me, there’s nothing more beautiful than the end stage when you see these little hearts floating through the air, or you look down and see a little pile of hearts — I just think it’s lovely,” she expressed.
Although the bloom is not yet complete, many visitors at Jackson Park shared a similar appreciation on Sunday.
Elianis Rosado, 28, a lifelong Chicago resident, visited the cherry blossoms for the first time with a friend to take photos and soak in the scenery.
“They’re a little paler than I expected, but they’re so whimsical.
Seeing the petals blow in the wind was almost cathartic and just so peaceful,” reflected Rosado.
For those wanting to immerse further in the hanami tradition, an official festival celebrating the cherry blossoms will take place on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.
The event, organized in collaboration between the Park District and numerous cultural organizations, will feature a variety of activities including taiko performances and origami folding.
Attendance is free, and more information is available at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/hanami-cherry-blossom-viewing-festival-jackson-park.
image source from：https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/20/cherry-blossom-viewing-jackson-park/
