Saucer Magnolias Watch Update: March 6, 2023

The saucer magnolias are now in full bloom. A few warmer days have brought them fully out. Cooler temperatures through the rest of the coming week is good news for them–it will help prolong their bloom.

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..

The saucer magnolias are now in full bloom. A few warmer days have brought them fully out. Cooler temperatures through the rest of the coming week is good news for them–it will help prolong their bloom.

Here are some photos I took this morning. The first group of photos is at the Enid A. Haupt Garden, which is right behind the Smithsonian Castle. The second group is a smaller grove of saucer magnolias at the George Mason Memorial, which is right next to the Tidal Basin and close to the Jefferson Memorial.

Enid A. Haupt Garden

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
WASHINGTON, DC — Saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Smithsonian Castle). Photo © David Coleman / HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL

George Mason Memorial

Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
Saucer magnolias at the George Mason Memorial.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
Saucer magnolias at the George Mason Memorial.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
Saucer magnolias at the George Mason Memorial.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
Saucer magnolias at the George Mason Memorial.
Photo of Washington DC Cherry Blossoms.
Saucer magnolias at the George Mason Memorial.

Where to Find Them

If you haven't been to the Enid A. Haupt Garden before, it's right behind the Smithsonian Castle (or, as my kids call it, Hogwarts). It is a gated garden and closes at night but opens early in the morning.

There are several sections to the garden, including the Moongate Garden. The magnolias are throughout–you can't miss them.

Things Worth Knowing

  • Saucer magnolias are also often known as tulip magnolias. Magnolia x soulangeana, if you want to get technical.
  • They typically come out around a couple of weeks before the famous Yoshino cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin.
  • You can find saucer magnolias all over the region. Three notable locations within easy walking distance of the Tidal Basin are:
  • You can see an example of them in full bloom here.

2 thoughts on “Saucer Magnolias Watch Update: March 6, 2023”

  1. I have a Tamron macro 2.8 lens for my f 100 camera it auto focuses good but it will not focus for portraits,only close ups.What’s up with this lens?Why won’t it focus for portraits? Mufti Kifayatullah.

    Reply
    • Do you have the focus limiter switched to Limit? If the lens is the Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di Macro, there’s a switch on the side that toggles between Full and Limit.

      Reply

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