Celebrating Seasons Garden Tours

Cherry Blossom Festival

Jefferson Monument. Photo copyright Nicole Crockett Photography. Used with Permission.

I know this blog is about all things local but, occassionally, it’s fun to think past our borders- or even global.  I had the opportunity to vacation in Washington DC with 2 of my sisters at the beginning of April.  What an adventure! We were spouse and kid free for 6 whole days!  It was wonderful to have the chance to MISS our respective families.

The trip boasted many wonderful floral opportunities, even though we were there so early in the season.  I never really imagined I’d have the chance to see the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC.  Sure, it was on my list of places I’d LIKE to see (with the Chelsea Garden Show being at the VERY top!) but I just never imagined I’d get the opportunity!

 The blossoms did not disappoint! We not only got there for the festival but managed to hit the Tidal Basin when they were at the peak of flower.  While the Cherry Blossoms were the star of the show, I think they can be upstaged in places by the Saucer Magnolias (Magnolia x soulangiana) which boast similar colored blooms but with far larger flowers.

Jefferson Monument. Photo copyright Nicole Crockett Photography. Used with Permission.

The Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC is a great ‘Gardener’s Bucket List’ item.  The downside to going during Cherry Blossom time is that you’ll miss the verdant gardens at Arlington, Mt. Vernon and around town that won’t be in full glory until the real gardening season begins.   If you’re enamoured of the blooms, the good news is that those same flowers can be had in our climate!  The trees in DC are called Yoshino Cherries (Prunus x yedoensis) and many local places sell these or their sister variety ‘Kanzan’

Related posts:

You Might Also Like

  • Jen
    May 5, 2011 at 10:58 pm

    Beautiful photography! I love the final picture. Sounds like a wonderful, wonderful event. It’s amazing to see all of the beauty around this God-given earth. Thanks for sharing.