2024

Cherry Blossom Watch

Washington DC

Latest Updates

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: March 18, 2024

A day after they reached peak bloom, the cherry blossoms are looking magnificent. Not all of them are fully open yet, and more will come out in coming days.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

2024 Cherry Blossoms Reach Peak Bloom

The National Park Service judged that 70% of the cherry blossoms had reached peak bloom as of this afternoon.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: March 16, 2024

It’s a lovely spring morning at the Tidal Basin, and the cherry blossoms are starting to look like themselves. Not yet at peak bloom, but only days away now.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: March 15, 2024

The cherry blossoms have hit the puffy white stage. Next stop: peak bloom. Warm temperatures will keep more and more flowers coming out each day for the next week or so.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Magnolia Watch: March 15, 2024

The very warm temperatures are fueling an accelerated saucer magnolia bloom, and the flowers are getting quite fragile now, with blankets of petals on the ground.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: March 13, 2024

Very warm temperatures in the mid-70s are turbocharging the cherry blossoms’ progress, and some trees already have flowers coming out.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Magnolia Watch: March 13, 2024

The saucer magnolias are now in full bloom and looking magnificent. With several more very warm days coming up, their bloom might be somewhat brief.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: March 11, 2024

The rain and wind of the past few days haven’t had much effect, but the cooler temperatures have kept things moving slowly. Warmer temperatures are on the way.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Magnolia Watch: March 11, 2024

The saucer magnolias have emerged mostly none the worse for wear from the rain and wind over the past few days. They’re on the verge of full bloom and will be coming out even more in the next few warm days.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: March 8, 2024

The indicator tree is starting to bloom. The other trees are further behind, in various development stages. And the saucer magnolias are close to full bloom.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Magnolia Watch: March 8, 2024

The saucer magnolias are starting to open. They’re looking lovely now, but they’ll look even lovelier in the coming days into next week.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: March 6, 2024

The cherry buds are coming along, and it’s easy to find some now that are into the Extension of Florets stage. The indicator tree, racing ahead as usual, is showing plenty of white just before the flowers open.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Magnolia Watch: March 6, 2024

A handful are starting to open, but most will need a little more warmth to be coaxed out. We have a few more days of warmer temperatures in store, which will keep things chugging along.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: March 3, 2024

It’s a beautiful, calm, and sunny morning at the Tidal Basin. Most of the trees now have green buds out now, and the National Park Service judged that at least 70% of the trees reached the green buds stage as of yesterday.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Magnolia Watch: March 3, 2024

There’s some pink coming through, but the tulip magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden need the warmer temperatures over the coming week to really start popping.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: February 29, 2024

The NPS predicts that peak bloom will come between March 23 and 26. And the saucer magnolias are starting to show the first glimpses of pink.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: February 27, 2024

More green buds continue to poke out in the warm temperatures, and the Capital Weather Gang at Washington Post have issued their initial prediction for peak bloom 2024.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Watch: February 25, 2024

Green buds are starting to poke through, and the NPS will be revealing their initial peak bloom forecast at a press conference later this week.

Information

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Where to Find Stumpy

Stumpy’s days are numbered. If you’d like to say goodbye, here’s where to find them.

Photo of Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC taken by David Coleman.

2024 Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Forecasts

The latest information and forecasts on when Washington DC’s cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin will reach peak bloom in Spring 2024.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Historical Postcards of Washington DC’s Cherry Blossoms

I’ve been collecting vintage postcards featuring Washington DC’s famous cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin. Here’s a selection of them.

Timelapse of Yoshino Japanese Cherry Blossoms Blooming

Timelapse of Yoshino Japanese Cherry Blossoms Blooming

This is a timelapse video of Yoshino cherry blossoms blooming, close-up.

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Where to Stay in Washington DC for the Cherry Blossoms

Some local recommendations on where to stay if you’re visiting from out of town to see the cherry blossoms.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms: April 12, 2014 taken by David Coleman.

2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival

The 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled for March 20 to April 14, 2024. Here’s a quick overview and some dates of key events.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Tidal Basin Parking Options

If driving remains your best option, here are a few ideas on where to park when going to the cherry blossoms.

Photo of Tulips at the Floral Library in Washington DC taken by David Coleman.

Floral Library at the Tidal Basin in Washington DC

Consisting mostly of several varieties of colorful tulips, the Floral Library is located at the northeast corner of the Tidal Basin.

Photo of Washington Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Young Girls Posing for Photos taken by David Coleman.

Tips for Taking Young Kids to the Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin

Some tips for taking young kids to see the cherry blossoms.

Photo of Cherry Blossoms - April 14, 2015 - Fallen Petals on the Path taken by David Coleman.

Does Rain (or Storms) Affect the Cherry Blossoms?

Rain, wind, and even scattered storms are pretty common in DC in the spring. So this is a question that comes up often during cherry blossom season.

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Monuments of the Tidal Basin

Here’s a quick guide to the monuments you might come across as you wander amongst the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Family or Engagement Photos with the Cherry Blossoms – Local Professional Photographers

Looking to hire a professional photographer for family, engagement, or portrait photos with the cherry blossoms? Here are some recommendations.

Photo of Paddle Boats at the Tidal Basin taken by David Coleman.

Cherry Blossom Paddle Boat Rentals

Paddle boats on the Tidal Basin offer a unique way to take in the view of the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossom 10 Miler 2024

The 2024 Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Race is scheduled for April 7, 2023. Here’s a rundown of the impact on visiting the cherry blossoms.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

The Cherry Blossom Indicator Tree: What It Is & How to Find It

The so-called indicator tree reliably blooms a week to ten days ahead of most of the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin. Here’s how to find it.

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How Long Do the Cherry Blossoms Last?

Here’s a timeline of what to expect from roughly a week before the peak bloom to about a week after.

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When is Cherry Blossom Season in Washington DC?

The short answer is that there’s no easy answer. On average, the peak bloom occurs sometime around the last week or so of March through the first week or so of April. But precisely when during that period varies year to year. So here’s the longer version.

How to Get to the Cherry Blossoms

Information on the best ways to get down to the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms, including by Metro, by car, and by bike.