The Montreal spring ritual is a ritual of observation. As the weeks and months pass, we choose one or a few bare trees at the curb and look intently at the tips of the branches. We look for the beginning, the whisper of a bud. It is a ritual that requires diligence and patience. But as soon as the first leaves appear on the trees, everything will happen very quickly.
Spring blooms in Montreal come in rapid succession—late, later than elsewhere, but with great vigor. In May, the cherry trees will be in bloom in the city streets. To see them, sit beneath them, and fully appreciate them with the return of warm spring days, we go for a walk…
We’ve almost forgotten the scent of wet earth, of grass in the rain, of tree bark, and of terracotta planters warmed by the sun. Montreal winter, if it had a scent, would have notes of ice, exhaust fumes, strong tobacco, and dampness. It’s different.
And Quebec bursts into a thousand different colors in the spring—and very soon, as the ground thaws and softens, we’ll see crocuses and snowdrops. For the flowers—real flowers, like in the movies—we’ll have to wait until late April.
In May, the flowering trees burst into dramatic bloom. You’ll have to look up to see them;
- the crabapple trees(Malus baccata)
- Japanese cherry trees(Prunus serrulata)
- the magnolias(Magnolia grandiflora)
- the serviceberries(Amelanchier canadensis)
At Westmount Park
The lovely Westmount Park, manicured and perfect for a stroll or for sitting on a bench and sketching, is one of the most beautiful places to walk and see the cherry blossoms in May.
We head out with comfortable sneakers, a wide-brimmed hat, and a sketchbook.
How do we get there?Bybus, on the 24, 103, or 138, or by metro on the Green Line, at the Atwater stop
At the Botanical Garden
The Montreal Botanical Garden is the heart of the city’s blooms and offers the most exotic stroll in Montreal to see the cherry blossoms.
We head out on the appointed day, with a good camera and a guide to exotic plants in our pocket.
How do we get there?Bymetro on the Green Line, at the Pie-IX stop
At Jean Drapeau Park
The Park, one of the largest in Montreal and located on an island in the middle of the river, across from the Old Port, offers the most exotic stroll to see the cherry blossoms.
We head out with a picnic basket, a tube of sunscreen, and a light sweater (because of the river breeze).
How do we get there? Bybus on the 777, or by metro on the yellow line to the Jean Drapeau stop. You can also take the river shuttle starting in May.
At Ahuntsic Park
A stroll through Ahuntsic Park is a bit like a walk in the countryside, and going to see the cherry blossoms is quite relaxed and pleasant—like heading out for the weekend to the hills of the region.
We head out with a pair of boots, our favorite friends, the kids, and a camera.
How do we get there? Bymetro on the orange line, at the Henri-Bourrassa stop
