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DC Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Date and Blooming Period

Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival PhotoWashington DC Cherry Blossom Festival Photo The Peak Bloom Date is defined as the day in which 70 percent of the blossoms of the Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) trees are open. The date when the Yoshino cherry blossoms reach peak bloom varies from year to year, depending on weather conditions. Cherry Blossom Festival dates are set based on the average date of blooming (April 4). The Blooming Period starts several days before the Peak Bloom Date and can last as long as 14 days; however, frost or high temperatures combined with wind and/or rain can shorten this period. During the Blooming Period, the National Park Service conducts annual Cherry Tree walks and bike tours around the Tidal Basin. These Park Ranger conducted programs present an interpretive look at the historical and cultural influence of the Japanese Flowering Cherry Trees in our Nation's Capital. It is pretty much impossible to give an accurate forecast much more than 10 days before the Peak Bloom and each year National Park Service Horticulturists monitor 5 stages of bud development and provide a forecast and updates as needed. The following is a comparative record of past bud development in which 70% of the buds reached each stage:
Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival Photo Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival Photo Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival Photo
Year   Green Color in Buds   Florets Visible   Extension of Florets   Peduncle Elongation   Puffy White   Peak Bloom  
2005   3/7   3/22   3/31   4/3   4/4   4/9  
2004   3/4   3/12   3/15   3/22   3/27   3/31  
2003   3/17   3/23   3/25   3/27   3/29   4/2  
2002   3/7   3/14   3/18   3/20   3/27   4/2  
2001   2/26   3/11   3/20   3/25   3/30   4/6  
2000   2/29   3/8   3/9   3/10   3/14   3/17  
1999   3/16   3/22   3/26   3/30   4/1   4/5                    
1998   2/13   3/1   3/8   3/13   3/23   3/27
1997   2/21   3/2   3/10   3/13   3/20   3/26    
1996   2/29   3/15   3/18   3/25   3/30   4/4  
1995   3/8   3/17   3/20   3/22   3/27   4/2  
1994   3/8   3/20   3/25   3/29   4/1   4/5  
1993   3/15   3/22   3/28   4/2   4/5   4/11  
1992   3/7   3/15   3/23   3/31   4/1   4/5  

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Where are the Cherry Trees located?

The cherry trees currently grow in three park locations: around the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, in East Potomac Park (Haines Point), and on the Washington Monument grounds.

East Potomac Park - 1,681 trees

Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival Photo Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival Photo
Count Common Name Botanical Name
995 Yoshino Cherry Prunus x yedoensis
414 Kwanzan Cherry Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan'
190 Takesimensis Cherry Prunus takesimensis
60 Weeping Japanese Cherry Prunus subhirtella var. pendula
9 Sargent Cherry Prunus sargentii
6 Autumn Flowering Cherry Prunus subhirtella var. autumnalis
3 Akebono Cherry Prunus x yedoensis 'Akebono'
2 Afterglow Cherry Prunus x yedoensis 'Afterglow'
1 Shirofugen Cherry Prunus serrulata 'Shirofugen'
1 Okame Cherry Prunus x "Okame"
Map of East Potomac Park Cherry Trees

Tidal Basin (West Potomac Park) - 1678

Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival Photo Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival Photo
Count Common Name Botanical Name
1405 Yoshino Cherry Prunus x yedoensis
105 Akebono Cherry Prunus x yedoensis 'Akebono'
50Usuzumi CherryPrunus spachiana f. ascendens
44 Kwanzan Cherry Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan'
34 Weeping Japanese Cherry Prunus subhirtella var. pendula
14 Fugenzo Cherry Prunus serrulata 'Fugenzo'
14 Autumn Flowering Cherry Prunus subhirtella var. autumnalis
12 Sargent Cherry Prunus sargentii
Map of Tidal Basin Cherry Trees

Washington Monument Grounds - 342 trees

Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival Photo Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival Photo
Count Common Name Botanical Name
341 Yoshino Cherry Prunus x yedoensis
1 Kwanzan Cherry Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan'

Other Park Sites - 49 trees

Count Common Name Botanical Name
22 Kwanzan Cherry Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan'
21 Yoshino Cherry Prunus x yedoensis
4 Akebono Cherry Prunus x yedoensis 'Akebono'
1 Autumn Flowering Cherry Prunus serrulata 'Autumnalis'
1 Cherry Prunus takesimensis


Content courtesy of National Park Service

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