Cherry Blossoms of Smithsonian Gardens

Kayleigh Walters

Two pink Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis' flowers on twig with buds

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.

Two Japanese woodblock prints. On left are cherry blossoms with bird by Utagawa Hiroshige, right is hanging blossoms in front of moon by Ito Sozan. — 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.

Single pink kanzan flower on black background fills image.

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.

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Yoshino Cherry

Prunus × yedoensis

The most famous of the ornamental cherry trees, the Yoshino cherry is the star of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Its white to slightly pink flowers bloom before the leaves grow in, giving Yoshino trees an almost fantastical appearance in the spring. This species of cherry was one of the main ones gifted to the US from Japan in 1912.

We have 20 of these trees at the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The oldest and largest of our trees are at the sculpture garden.

Bloom time: End of March to early April

Three cherry trees in full bloom along a path with benches at Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden. Center tree is yoshino.

Yoshino Cherry cultivar

Prunus × yedoensis 'Afterglow'

Cherry blossoms are delicate; an early spring freeze can knock all the flowers off a tree that is just starting to bloom. That is why this cultivar of the Yoshino cherry has been bred to have flowers that are more resilient to cold dips. The flowers of this cherry can also be distinguished from the traditional Yoshino, as they are more pink.

We have 3 of these trees at the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden.

Bloom time: End of March to early April

Cherry tree with slightly more pink flowers growing in a row on a raised wall

3 puffy, pink kanzan flowers with new red-tinted green leaves on black background. — *P. serrulata '*Kanzan' flowers

Kanzan Cherry

Prunus serrulata 'Kanzan'

One of the most popular ornamental cherries in the West, these puffy pink flowers have a truly glorious number of petals. With 23-28 petals, this is known as a "double flower" cherry. Kanzans bloom just before and as their red-tinted leaves emerge, making this tree a magnificent display.

We have 12 Kanzan cherry trees on a grassy hill at the National Museum of American History.

Bloom time: Early to mid-April

Kanzan cherry with puffy, dark pink flowers growing in a row. Background of oaks with new green leaves.

Horizontal image of several crisp white kojima flowers with many petals on black background. Flowers in bud have faint pink blush on outer petals. — *P. serrulata '*Kojima' flowers

Kojima Cherry

Prunus serrulata 'Kojima'

This beautiful, white-flowered cherry has some of the largest flowers of any of the ornamental cherries, which almost look like small roses. While still in bud, the outer petals can have a slight pink blush which fades to a crisp white once it opens. This is also a very broad tree, and spreads to be the beauty of any garden.

We have just one of these trees at the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden.

Bloom time: Early April

Crop of light pink to white fall-blooming cherry blossom with several thin petals on black background. — *P. subhirtella* 'Autumnalis' flower

Autumn Cherry

Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis'

This cherry blooms twice in a year! This higan cherry cultivar is one of the only trees to bloom in the fall, and the first to bloom in the spring. The autumn cherry can confuse many in the early spring into thinking that cherry blossom season is in full swing - but alas! They are just a taste of what is to come.

We have 3 autumn cherry trees in the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden.

Bloom time: March to early April; sparsely in fall

Several star-shaped, light pink weeping cherry blossoms attached to stem on black background. — *P. subhirtella* 'Pendula' flowers

Weeping Higan Cherry

Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula'

There is something about a weeping tree that is particularly beautiful. A weeping cherry tree, even more so. Our trees have star-shaped flowers which appear to spill in light pink waterfalls when in full bloom.

We have 5 weeping cherry trees. 4 large trees are at the National Air and Space Museum, and 1 smaller one is at the Haupt Garden.

Bloom time: Mid-March to early April

Map of the Ornamental Cherries of Smithsonian Gardens

Illustrated border of twining cherry blossoms from 1905.