Storied Spring Flowers
The spring floral parade is attended by many flowers. Three flowers in particular stand out because of their symbolism and history dating back nearly a century.
April is Daffodil Month in Canada. This recognition is rooted in the 1950s when Lady Flora Eaton (yes, her name was indeed Flora) hosted tea parties at the Eaton Centre to support the Canadian Cancer Society. The daffodils decorating the tables at these parties became a hit. In 1957, CCS volunteers officially started selling the yellow flowers to finance cancer research. This culminated in the CCS adopting the daffodil as its logo in 2000.
The 1950s, specifically 1959, was also when the legend of sakura began in Canada. That year, the city of Tokyo sent a gift of 2000 cherry blossoms trees to Toronto, as a token of appreciation for the city becoming a home for Japanese Canadian refugees (ironically, they became refugees because of racist Canadian policies). While most of these “original” trees found a home in High Park, other groves have been planted in various clusters in the Greater Toronto Area, all blooming
As April gives way to May, Torontonians start asking when and where cherry blossoms will emerge.
While Torontonians are entranced by sakura, tulips start taking over from daffodils all over the city.