Pretty in pink: A view of the tecoma trees in full bloom beside a flood mitigation canal near Darul Aman Stadium in Alor Setar, Kedah. — GC TAN/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Flowers with hues of light pink and purple with a dash of white are providing ideal Instagrammable spots for shutterbugs in the country.
The tecoma tree’s blooming flowers are a big hit this time of the year – fondly called the Sakura season – as Malaysians can experience the beauty of these cherry blossoms without needing to fly to Japan.
In Penang, nearly 10,000 such trees have been planted, including 3,000 in the Seberang Perai district.
Casey Yap, 43, was seen taking in the beauty of the blooms in Sungai Ara on the island.
“I live in this area and go for walks at a park near the tecoma trees.
“It is usually in season around February or March, and right now, it is blooming.
“These trees are low, which means that it makes for a better picture as the flowers fit into the frame,” said the engineer.
Yap said he noticed many people coming by to take photos, adding there were many areas in the state where the tecoma has created a similar effect.
“Even I walk over sometimes to take photos, as it is quite a pretty sight,” he said.
The tecoma trees are also spotted in Batu Ferringhi, Bayan Baru and Relau, as well as on the grounds of Universiti Sains Malaysia.
A canal near the Darul Aman Stadium in Kedah has also become a picturesque scene as it resembles a floating bed of cherry blossoms.
The other locations where the pink flowers are in full bloom are Jalan Titi Gajah-Alor Setar, Lebuhraya Darul Aman, Jalan Gangsa, Jalan Kuala Kedah, Jalan Langgar, Jalan Lencong Barat and Jalan Yan.
The tecoma has a short flowering season between February and April.
