Cherry blossom around the Tidal Basin

What it is

In 1912 the city of Tokyo gave Washington more than three thousand cherry trees as a gesture of friendship. They were planted around the Tidal Basin, an inlet beside the Potomac, and their descendants and replacements still ring the water in front of the Jefferson Memorial. Most are Yoshino cherries, with pale, almost white single flowers. Peak bloom, when most blossoms are open, usually falls between the last week of March and the first week of April and lasts only a few days. The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs for several weeks around it, with a parade and a kite festival.

Before you go

• The National Park Service forecasts peak bloom a few weeks ahead. Watch it and stay flexible.
• Go at sunrise. By mid morning the path around the basin is shoulder to shoulder.
• Do not climb the trees or pull down branches. Many are old and fragile.

The flowers you will see

Cherry blossomThe spring-blooming flower of ornamental cherry trees, central to Japan’s hanami custom

Also part of it, and being written: Prunus × yedoensis.

Read more

National Cherry Blossom FestivalSpring festival in Washington, D.C. celebrating Japanese cherry trees and friendship

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