Cherry blossoms are a beautiful sign of spring, known for their bright colors and gentle fragrance. These flowers create stunning scenes when they bloom, forming colorful canopies and soft carpets of petals on the ground. They are also a symbol of beauty and the short, passing nature of life.
Cherry trees grow in many parts of the world and are loved both in the wild and in cultivated gardens. While many people may associate cherry blossoms with Japan, they are very popular in Canada.
Many cities and parks display these trees, especially in Vancouver, which is home to thousands of cherry trees. The city hosts one of the largest cherry blossom festivals in the country, attracting visitors each year.
A new stamp from Canada Post celebrates this natural beauty by featuring two well-known cherry blossom varieties. One is Prunus ‘Kanzan’, a popular Japanese cherry tree known for its strong cold resistance and large, deep pink double flowers. This variety is widely admired in for its rich color and full bloom.
The second variety is Prunus ‘Somei-yoshino’, which is famous for its soft white to pale pink flowers. These blossoms grow in large clusters and are a major part of spring celebrations in Japan and other regions of East Asia. In Japan, cherry blossoms, known as sakura, are deeply connected to culture and are celebrated through festivals and gatherings.
The stamp designs are based on original photographs taken at the Nitobe Memorial Garden at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. The designs were created by Belisle Creative, with photography by Brett Hitchins and printing by Lowe-Martin.
This stamp collection includes a booklet of 10 Permanent stamps, a coil of 50 stamps, a souvenir sheet, and a special First Day Cover. Overall, the issue beautifully combines art, nature, and cultural meaning.