Cherry Blossom Watch / Kwanzan Edition: March 16, 2017

The Kwanzan cherry blossoms are much earlier in their development and look to be riding out the cold snap comfortably.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

I MAY get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

The cherry blossoms reached peak bloom on March 17, 2024. That's the second-earliest on record.

RELATED:
Latest Updates on the 2024 Bloom
Peak Bloom Forecasts in Detail

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.

Kwanzan Cherry Blossoms - March 16, 2017

Kwanzan Cherry Blossoms - March 16, 2017

Kwanzan Cherry Blossoms - March 16, 2017

Kwanzan Cherry Blossoms - March 16, 2017

Kwanzan Cherry Blossoms - March 16, 2017

Kwanzan Cherry Blossoms - March 16, 2017

Leave a Comment