Floral Dreams at Pairi Daiza

Nearly 150 magnolias are blooming in various corners of the park, offering visitors a refined and enchanting sight. Their vibrant colors, ranging from fiery reds to delicate pinks, light up the Middle Kingdom, the Kingdom of Ganesha, as well as the gardens and paths of Cambron Abbey and Cambron-by-the-Sea.

But these magnolias also carry a story: that of Paul Van Laerhoven, a Belgian botanical enthusiast who dedicated his life to gathering an exceptional collection of rare specimens. After his passing in 2018, his family decided to pass this precious legacy on to Pairi Daiza, where these botanical treasures found a new home, continuing his love for nature.

In the spring, on the “Islands of the Rising Sun,” you can experience an ancient tradition: hanami, a custom that celebrates the fleeting beauty of the blooming cherry trees, the sakura.

About fifty cherry trees spread their petals towards the sky, creating a spectacle that is both delicate and ephemeral. Starting in early April, the Fuji Yedonesis, originating from the plains of Mount Fuji, are the first to bloom, lighting up the landscape with their pure white flowers.

Further along, the majestic Prunus serrulata Taihaku catch the eye with their flawless blooms. As spring reaches its peak, the Taihaku and Shirofugen also blossom in the Japanese garden. The Prunus serrulata Shirofugen offers a surprise for the most attentive visitors: its double bloom starts white and gradually transforms into a soft pink hue in May, extending the magic of hanami even further.

In the dry garden, a final floral treasure completes this enchanting scene: a lush carpet of Chionodoxa, or glory of the snow, with its delicate blue flowers adding the finishing touch to this poetic journey under the blooming cherry trees.