3/25 Washington D.C. visit
Since my husband and I moved to Texas and started traveling, we put it on our bucket list to visit all 50 states. Through the years we have worked towards accomplishing this goal, but did not have the pressure of going to a state just to mark it off the list. We know each state is unique and has its own characteristic traits. While it is true, sometimes we have counted a visit to a state while driving to another location, we try not to that often.
This month we chose to visit Maryland on our way to see the Cherry Blossoms in Washington D.C. for the Cherry Blossom Festival which has been celebrated for more than a hundred years in Washington D.C. The Cherry Blossom blooming season is quite short, only two weeks long. They bloom about the last week of March until the first week of April. I recommend seeing these beautiful trees if you are able.
What is a Cherry Blossom?
A Cherry Blossom is a flowering tree native to Japan. This tree does not bear fruit even though its name indicates otherwise. However, it blooms with beautiful little flowers. The scientific name is Prunis subgenus Cerasus. In Japan they call the flower “Sakura” which translates to English as Cherry Blossom, even though they have another similar Cherry Blossom flower which is different than the Sakura.
Cherry Blossom Variety
There are hundreds of varieties of the Cherry Blossoms. Here are just a few of the common varieties.
The most common tree is the Yoshino Cherry (Somei Yoshino) which has five petals per flower that are pale pink with a pink center.
Shidarezakura (Weeping Cherry) is also another popular blossom. Their thin branches hang downward. Its petals come in a variety of colors: red, white or pink.
Another common blossom is the Ukon Cherry (Ukonzakura) whose flowers are used to cure hangovers in Japan. These have petal that are a faint yellow color with pink at the end.
Finally, the Bellflower Cherry (Kanhizakura) which looks like a hanging bell. They have a deep pink color, and the flowers do not open fully.
Pictured below is the Yoshino Cherry.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C.
My husband checked where the best places to see the trees. He found the Tidal Basin. We headed out early to avoid the crowds for the festival. Each day there are activities for the family to do while honoring this cultural event.
When we arrived, we could see the Cherry Blossoms were planted around the water’s edge. There was a walking path between the water and trees. It was a beautiful day, warm, with a slight breeze. Walking in the shade was chilly.
People were already there taking pictures wearing their spring clothing. We joined in taking photos around the lake. The trees were a variety of white and pink blossoms. Some had the hanging branches while others did not. The tree’s trunks were also different. Some were wider and twisted while others were narrow and straight.
While we were walking and enjoying the day, we found a memorial spot that had a plaque. It indicated that was the area where the first Cherry Blossom trees were planted on March 27, 1912. The trees were a gift from Japan.
We enjoyed the rest of the day exploring the blossoms, monuments and memorials.
History
According to National Park Services there is historical data of the trees. Here are just a few points, the full article can be found on their website.
1885- World traveler and writer Mrs. Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore visited Japan and returned back home to Washington D. C.. She reached out to U.S. Army Superintendent of the Office of Public Building and Grounds with a proposal to have the Japanese cherry trees brought to Washington D.C..
She requested this proposal each time a new superintendent came into office for 24 years. Finally in 1906, Dr. David Fairchild, a plant explorer and U.S. Department of Agriculture official listened. He imported and planted 100 Japanese cherry trees of two varieties, to see if they would survive in the United States. The following year, he deemed their growth a success, he promoted Mrs. Scidmore’s proposal.
In 1909, Mrs. Scidmore proposed a fundraiser for the trees and sent a letter to First Lady Helen Herron Taft. Mrs. Taft had lived in Japan, so she was familiar with the trees. The First Lady reached out the Toyko’s mayor, Yukio Ozaki, in 1909 who supported a gift of 2,000 cherry trees to the U.S.A..
Finally, after some unfortunate events, 3,020 cherry trees arrived March 26,1912. Between the years of 1913-1920 workers planted the trees around the Tidal Basin.
From that time, more trees have been donated to the United States, other First Ladies have given their own touch to promote the beautification of the city and created the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Conclusion
While the Japanese Cherry Blossom is native to Japan, it can be found in a few places in the U.S.A. Although many are found in public botanical gardens and the such, some can be found in natural settings. The areas continue to grow as planting has sprawled out and hybrids have been created.
To see these beautiful blooms check out your local botanical garden to see if they have them. Or take a visit to Washington D.C. or one of these cities near you that have the trees growing in natural settings. Here are a few places: Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Wooster Square, New Haven, Connecticut, Central City Park, Macon, Georgia, The Cumberland River Greenway, Nashville, Tennessee, and Japanese Garden at Delaware Park, Buffalo, New York.
Better yet, take a trip to Japan! Find out more details about the Cherry Blossoms in Japan, click here . Plan to visit an area when they bloom.