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Cherry Blossoms of Smithsonian Gardens
Fragile flowers open into a new spring...
Cherry blossoms, sakura, these are just some of the names used to talk about the flowers of ornamental cherry trees. Originally cultivated in Japan and gifted to Washington, D.C. in 1912, the beauty and fleeting nature of a cherry blossom makes it a poignant sight.
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Two Japanese woodblock prints from the Freer collection. The one on the left is by Utagawa Hiroshige, and the one to the right is by Ito Sozan.
An event for spring beauty
Now, the mass bloom of cotton candy-like trees is an event that people from around the country and world flock to D.C. to see.
At Smithsonian Gardens, we love these trees and their flowers, too. Not only do we have the iconic Yoshino cherry, but also 5 other varieties of ornamental cherries. From early-blooming higans to wild cherries in the late spring, the sight of each variety of cherry blossom brings its own enjoyment.
Map of the Ornamental Cherries of Smithsonian Gardens