Washington DC Cherry Blossoms
The cherry trees are dormant for winter. Peak bloom for 2027 is expected in late March. Follow the 2027 bloom watch.
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Planning Help
We had some weird weather Wednesday into Thursday, with temperatures plummeting from 80s one day to sleet and snow the next. And we have some more volatile weather coming in early this week, with a good chance of wild storms on tomorrow followed by cold temperatures again for a couple of days, including subfreezing temperatures overnight.
It’s certainly not ideal weather leading into the bloom, and subfreezing temperatures are particularly unhelpful to both the saucer magnolias and the cherry blossoms. But what effect it will have, if any, is something we’ll just have to wait and see.
Yoshinos: Stage 2 of 6 (Florets Visible)
The National Park Service announced in Friday that 70% of the cherry trees at the Tidal Basin had reached the florets visible stage, the second of the six stages they track heading into peak bloom.
That came just two days after they called the green buds stage reached.
How it Looks at the Tidal Basin This Morning
It’s a generally unremarkable morning at the Tidal Basin. Cloudy, a little breezy, and cool. And not particularly interesting light to play with. But there are plenty of school groups in town touring the monuments.
Most of the trees are getting defined florets now, and a much smaller number are racing ahead with lots of pink coming through.
Saucer Magnolias
The saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden are close to blooming, but there hasn’t been much change since Thursday. Plenty of pink and white, but they’re not really opening up yet.
The cold overnight temperatures early in the coming week aren’t ideal, but we’ll just have to wait and see how they fare.
Okame Cherry Blossoms
The more famous Yoshinos aren’t flowering yet, but the early-bloom Okame cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
There aren’t many of them around the Tidal Basin (although some were included in the recent plantings). But you’ll find them all over town, especially through residential neighborhoods. Some good places to find them are Long Bridge Park in Arlington (just across the Potomac from the Tidal Basin), National Harbor, and the National Arboretum.
Planning Your Trip
Coming into town for the cherry blossoms? Here are some planning resources I’ve put together to help you make the most of your visit.
Where to Stay
If you’re coming from out of town, I’ve put together some ideas on where to stay for the cherry blossoms.
These are some of the most convenient to the Tidal Basin. They’re in the new Wharf area nearby.
- Canopy by Hilton Washington DC – The Wharf
- Hyatt House Washington DC – The Wharf
- InterContinental Washington DC – The Wharf
- Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf
Things to See and Do
- There are all sorts of tours, including custom personal tours available through Viator.
- Check out some fun shows and experiences available this spring through Fever.
Photo Safaris
Did You Know?
Aerial Anglers
The Tidal Basin's thriving aquatic ecosystem draws serious avian predators. If you keep an eye on the sky, it is not uncommon to see Ospreys or Bald Eagles circling the monuments before plunging into the water to snatch a fish.
If you’re looking to do a guided photo safari, I can recommend Washington Photo Safari. Not only will they take you to the best spots — they’ll help you get the most out of your camera and get some fantastic shots.
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