The arrival of spring breathes new life into nature, melting away the frost of winter and coaxing plants back to growth. Of all spring flowers, perhaps none epitomize this season’s magic more beautifully than the cherry blossom. These delicate pink and white flowers have captivated artists and poets for centuries with their transient beauty.
Among the most famous verses celebrating cherry blossoms is a line by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda “I want to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees.” This evocative phrase reflects the diverse symbolic meanings behind cherry trees and their blossoms.
A Fleeting Yet Unforgettable Beauty
Cherry blossoms bloom for only about two weeks in early spring, making them ephemeral icons of the changing seasons. In Japan people eagerly anticipate forecasts announcing cherry blossom viewing season, or “hanami.” When the flowers finally emerge crowds flock to parks and gardens to admire the sea of pink and white petals while the blossoms last.
The transience of the flowers is central to their significance in Japanese culture. Cherry blossoms represent the impermanence of life, reminding us to appreciate fleeting moments of beauty As the Buddhist monk Yoshida Kenkō wrote in the 14th century, “If man were never to fade away like the dews of Adashino, never to vanish like the smoke over Toribeyama, but lingered on forever in this world, how things would lose their power to move us!” The short-lived blooms inspire mindfulness and appreciation of the present
A Symbol of Renewal and Optimism
While cherry blossoms mark the bittersweet cycle of seasons, they also signal optimism about rebirth. In fact, the Japanese name for cherry blossoms, “sakura,” can also mean renewal and rebirth. Each spring, the return of the blossoms reminds us that even after the depths of winter, warmer days will come again.
Watching the delicate cherry petals carried by the wind, we sense nature’s endless capacity for renewal. Though individual flowers and even whole trees may perish, the enduring species lives on. The blossoms remain a promise that seasons continue their endless cycle. Like the trees, we too find strength to branch out anew after life’s chills.
A Romantic Metaphor
Beyond literal springtime symbolism, cherry blossoms have also become metaphors for romance and passion. The flowers represent the transformative power of love, which can breathe new life into hearts just as the spring rejuvenates the trees.
In Pablo Neruda’s poem shared above, he longs to experience a connection as beautiful and evanescent as what spring does to the cherry trees. The seasons bring dramatic change to the budding flowers, just as falling in love dramatically transforms two people. Neruda suggests that relationships, though fragile, give meaning to our fleeting lives.
Many cultures link cherry blossoms with femininity, love, and sexuality.Art often depicts them falling around courting couples, the petals like cascading confetti. In Japan, cherry blossoms signify life’s beauty and passion, embodied in the graceful geisha entertainers associated with the flowers.
Cherry trees bloom in youth before settling into steady maturity, not unlike young lovers in springtime romance. The blossoms’ delicacy and elegance poignantly reflect the excitement and tenderness of newfound affection.
A Global Flowering Phenomenon
Originally native to China, cherry trees have spread across temperate regions, and sakura season is now celebrated around the world. Across North America and Europe, photographers eagerly await local arboretums’ and botanical gardens’ first blossoms.
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In the United States, the National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates Japan’s gift of over 3,000 cherry trees to Washington D.C. in 1912. Over 1.5 million people attend the festival now, enjoying numerous events under cotton-candy clouds of petals.
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Germany takes advantage of warmer microclimates along the Rhine River to grow cherry varieties that produce deep pink blossoms. Cities like Bonn and Mainz host “Kirschblütenfest” to celebrate the start of spring under canopies of cherry blooms.
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Even cooler regions like Canada find spots protected from harsh winter frost. Vancouver’s cherry trees bloom in clouds of fragrant white and pink along city streets, parks, and university campuses. Local spring festivals celebrate the beauty of the blossoms.
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Across the Atlantic, botanical gardens like London’s Kew Gardens cultivate ornamental cherry varieties to delight springtime visitors. Kew’s Cherry Walk borders a lake with 200 cherry trees, allowing visitors to stroll through the pastel petals.
Springtime Care for Cherry Trees
If you want to nurture your own ornamental cherry trees through seasons of growth, here are some tips:
Site Selection – Pick a spot with full sunlight and good air circulation. Avoid areas prone to late frosts which can damage buds. Cherry trees need well-drained soil and do best with moderate moisture.
Planting – Plant dormant, bare-root trees in late fall or early spring. Dig holes wider than the root ball, score roots gently, and water well after planting. Space trees at least 15 feet apart.
Pruning – For the first three years, prune only damaged branches. After establishment, prune in late winter to shape and maintain the tree’s health. Never remove more than 1/3 of growth.
Feeding – Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring as growth resumes. Compost or manure will also nourish the soil. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that spur excessive leaf growth over flowers.
Protecting – Wrap trunks of young trees to prevent winter freeze damage. Place netting around trees to keep birds from eating emerging flower buds in early spring.
Enjoying – Sit back and revel in the spring spectacle of your flowering cherry tree! The blooms will remain for up to two weeks, releasing delightful fragrance.
Celebrating Symbolic Renewal
Whether strolling under streetside canopies of cherry blossoms or simply glimpsing the flowers in an office bud vase, it’s easy to understand why they have been muses for artists throughout history. The fleeting blooms remind us to appreciate ephemeral beauty and passion in our lives. Like Pablo Neruda, we long for the transformative magic of spring, which renews winter-weary spirits just as love rejuvenates world-weary hearts.
Become a Culture Tripper!
I buried him in the garden next to a rusted old machine.
He left with his shaggy coat, bad manners, and cold nose, but I’ll meet him there someday. He was a materialist who never believed in a promised heaven in the sky for anyone, but I believe in a heaven I’ll never enter.
Yes, I believe there is a heaven for all dogs where my dog waits for me with a tail that looks like a fan to show his friendship.
Ai, I’ll not speak of sadness here on Earth, of having lost a companion who was never servile.”
Anyone who has lost a beloved pet can relate to this classic Neruda poem. Here the poet explores the authenticity and dignity of his relationship with his dog, who has died. At first, the poem sounds like it is far away from the dog, but as it goes on, it shows how close and loved Neruda is for the animal. In the poem, Neruda also talks about his own death and his own beliefs and doubts about the afterlife.
The poet Pablo Neruda said, “I want to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees.” This quote was taken from this source.
Pablo Neruda, a luminary in contemporary literature, is celebrated for his prolific contributions to the world of poetry. As one of the finest authors from Chile, his books set in various landscapes and themes continue to captivate readers globally. His enchanting words have inspired countless best books by authors, cementing his legacy as a literary giant in the realm of literature. Did you know you can now travel with Culture Trip? Book now and join one of our premium small-group tours to discover the world like never before.
“I want you to know one thing.
You know how it is: the clear moon, the red branch of slow autumn outside my window, and the ash that I can’t see or the wrinkled body of the log near the fire—everything brings me to you, as if smells, light, and metals were little boats sailing toward your islands that await me.
Well, now, if little by little you stop loving me I shall stop loving you little by little.
If suddenly you forget me do not look for me, for I shall already have forgotten you.”
Neruda on the rocks | © G B
Isn’t it clear what the poem is about? In “If you forget me,” Neruda stresses how important it is for his relationship to work both ways. Some experts say the poet is talking about his home country of Chile, since the poem was written while Neruda was in exile during Pinochet’s coup. However, he could also be talking about Matilde Urrutia, his lover and third wife. Capturing the emotional intensity of love along with its insecurities, perhaps Neruda is commenting on both. His roots in Chile and his relationship with Urrutia had a big effect on who he was and how he saw himself. One thing is for sure, Neruda’s words will never be forgotten.
What Spring Does to the Cherry Trees
FAQ
How do you say I want to do to you what spring does to the cherry trees in Spanish?
Why do cherry blossoms bloom in spring?
What and when to feed cherry trees?
Do cherry trees bloom in spring?
Cherry trees (Prunus) are spectacular flowering fruit trees that bloom in spring. There are hundreds of varieties of cherry trees—some produce delicious cherry fruits, whereas others are ornamental cherry blossom trees. Cherry trees have beautiful whitish-pink blossoms covering bare branches in spring.
Why do cherry trees grow in spring?
Spring brings many changes for cherry trees. Cherry trees undergo a number of transformations in the springtime. Without the spring to awaken the tree before it begins producing fruit, the cherry would be unable to continue growing. Spring awakens cherry trees from dormancy.
What does a cherry tree symbolize?
Cherry trees serve as a metaphor for the cyclical patterns of life, symbolizing the impermanence and transitory nature of existence. Springtime represents not only the rejuvenation and beauty that love can bring, but also the cyclical nature of relationships.