Spring is in the air, and that means one thing in DC—cherry blossoms. Every year, the city transforms into a pastel dreamscape as thousands of cherry trees burst into bloom. This year, the National Park Service has predicted peak bloom for the Yoshino cherry trees to be from March 28-31.
While the Tidal Basin is the most famous spot to see them, you don’t have to battle the crowds to enjoy the beauty. We’ve updated our Cherry Blossom Map to help you find cherry trees blooming across the city, so you can experience the magic close to home.
DC’s iconic cherry trees date back to 1912, when Japan gifted 3,020 cherry trees, or “Sakura,” to the United States as a symbol of friendship. Today, these trees continue to bring joy to locals and visitors alike, marking the arrival of spring with breathtaking displays of pink and white blossoms.
These are the three most common cherry tree species in DC to look out for:
Yoshino Cherry
(Prunus × yedoensis) – The star of the show, Yoshino cherries make up most of DC’s cherry trees, and account for roughly 70% of cherry trees on the National Mall. Their delicate, pale pink-white blossoms create the dreamy cloud-like effect seen around the Tidal Basin. Peak bloom for Yoshinos typically falls between March 20-25, depending on the weather.
Kwanzan Cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’) – If you miss peak bloom at the Tidal Basin, Kwanzan cherries have you covered. With their bright pink, double-petaled blossoms, these trees bloom about two weeks after the Yoshinos, extending the season into early April. You’ll find many of them in Oxon Run Park.
Okame Cherry (Prunus ‘Okame’) – One of the earliest blooming cherry trees, Okame cherries start showing off their vivid pink flowers as early as mid-March. These trees are a great indicator that cherry blossom season is kicking off. You can spot them in places like Oxon Run Park, the National Arboretum, and among DC’s many street trees.
Now that our Cherry Blossom Map is live and updated, you can discover stunning blooms right in your neighborhood. Whether you’re catching peak bloom at the Tidal Basin or enjoying a quiet moment in your local park, DC’s cherry blossoms are a sight to behold. Grab your camera, take a stroll, and soak in the beauty of spring. Better yet, plant a Yoshino or Okame Cherry Tree in your front yard and we’ll pay you back up to $50 through our tree rebate program.
So, check out the map below and plan your cherry blossom adventure.
For full functionality, this map is better viewed in a new browser window. Go to caseytrees.org/cherry-map.
