Cherry Blossoms at Cornwall Park

Always a park visitor favourite, our cherry blossoms bloom in late September/ early October every year.

As our cherry blossoms are very popular we have put in place the following guidelines to ensure all visitors get the chance to enjoy the trees.

About our Cherry Blossoms

Our cherry blossom flowers annually from around mid-late September onwards for a period of about 4 weeks (this is dependent on the weather). We try to predict when the flowering will peak by tracking weather in the months preceding, a good cold snap and then a period of sun is the best combination. Once flowering, a good Auckland storm can remove many blossoms instantly.

In the park, we have a few different types of cherry.

Prunus x yedoensis 'Awanui' - Planted in the park in 1996. It has masses of large pink-tinged single blossoms and serrated green leaves that turn golden yellow in autumn.

Prunus ‘Accolade’ - Planted in the park in 1998. Profuse clusters of semi-double, rich pink flowers on bare stems.

Prunus campanulata ‘Taiwanese Cherry’ - Planted in the park between 1996 and 1998. Deep pink flowers bloom earlier than the other cherry blossoms in August.

Where can I see Cherry Blossoms in the park?

There are two locations to see cherry blossoms in the park. The largest collection is located halfway down Pōhutukawa Drive on the right when entering from the main gates at Greenlane West. The second smaller collection is located along Pūriri Drive, on the left when moving toward Campbell Crescent.

Please refer to this MAP for cherry blossom locations.

Can I picnic under the trees?

As the cherry blossoms draw larger and larger crowds, people picnicking under the trees makes it harder for everyone to enjoy them. We ask that picnics are held on the surrounding field, enjoying the trees from a distance. This allows visitors to walk through the trees, giving everyone a chance to get close.

Things to consider when visiting the Cherry Blossoms:

• When planning a visit during October consider that parking close to the main cherry blossoms may be hard and there may be some traffic/queues. On a sunny weekend day, consider parking along Pūriri Drive and walking into the park. Or come via public transport!
• Are you planning a quick drive by the cherry blossoms? Head to the Pūriri Drive location to avoid a busy car park and get closer to the trees.
• Currently, there are no through roads in Cornwall Park, to access the cherry blossoms you will need to enter through the main entrance at Greenlane West or along Pūriri Drive.
• Please strictly no parking on the grass or stopping on roadways.

Top tips!

• Weekday visits are quieter to visit than weekends. Swing by after work to see the Blossoms, the park closes at 8pm on October 1st.
• A busy day in the park? Head to the cherry blossoms along Pūriri Drive. They are generally quieter to visit but are just as pretty.