Cherry Blossom Watch Update: February 27, 2023

A couple of cooler days have slowed the pace a little. Most of the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin are still in the green bud stage, but there are also quite a few that are getting more definition with the florets visible.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

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2023 Peak Bloom

The NPS judged that the Yoshino cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin reached peak bloom on March 23, 2023. They're now done for the year..

If Thursday felt like the beginning of summer, by Saturday it felt like winter again. There was even a little snow and sleet around the area.

A couple of cooler days have slowed the pace a little. Most of the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin are still in the green bud stage, but there are also quite a few that are getting more definition with the florets visible–I've included some examples below.

The indicator tree is still flowering, but not all of its flowers are open yet. And the saucer magnolias are still coming into bloom but have many yet to open (I have a separate update on them with more photos here).

The National Park Service will be announcing their peak bloom prediction on Wednesday. At this point, it's mostly a question of just how early the bloom will be this year.

How It Looks This Morning

These were all taken this morning.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
Plum blossoms (often confused with Okame cherry blossoms).
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

Indicator Tree

All of these photos are of the indicator tree, a single tree that reliably blooms ahead of the others. You can find more information about it here.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
The indicator tree.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
The indicator tree. There are still plenty that haven't popped yet.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
The indicator tree.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
The indicator tree.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
The indicator tree.

Saucer Magnolias

I've posted a separate update on the saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden that includes more photos, but here are a few shots from this morning.

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.

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