Cherry Blossoms: Spring's First Blush

Each year Washingtonians and visiting tourists eagerly await the “peak bloom date” of the cherry blossom trees that line the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park. In Japan, cherry blossoms are called sakura and their blooming season has been celebrated for at least a thousand years. No matter where you are, you can tour the cherry blossoms of Smithsonian Gardens, browse our cherry blossom–related collections, or celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival with our National Museum of Asian Art and across the Smithsonian.