DC Cherry Blossoms in 2021
No peak bloom forecasts for 2021 have been issued yet.
It seems increasingly likely that DC will still be under COVID-19 restrictions in spring 2021 while the cherry blossoms are blooming. The Washington DC area is currently assessed at a very high risk level. So it's shaping up to be a good year to follow along from afar from the safety and comfort of your home.
Since the Yoshinos and other varieties of cherry trees around the Tidal Basin area are taking such a battering from the cold, wintry weather we’re currently seeing, several people have been asking how the Kwanzan cherry blossoms are faring. They’re a different variety of cherry tree and they usually bloom roughly two to three weeks after the more famous Yoshinos.
The good news is that because they’re much earlier in their development they’re at a much less vulnerable stage right now. So they look to be riding out the cold temperatures without any issues.
The National Park Service horticulturists predict that the Kwanzans will reach peak bloom this year sometime around April 10-13. If that pans out, that’s going to be a slightly early bloom for them too, but not abnormally so.
Below are some photos of how they’re looking this morning. They’re still tightly wrapped, with the first hints of green buds starting to poke through on some of them.
I have more details on the Kwanzan cherry blossoms here, including a map with some of the larger clusters of trees marked.
Photographing Flowers
At this time of year, there are beautiful flowers to be had all over the place. Maybe in your backyard. Maybe in the local park.
These are ere are some of my favorite books that I've reviewed on taking photos of flowers:
- Timber Press OR
- Detrick, Alan L. (Author)
- Focal Press
- Davis, Harold (Author)
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