Have you ever looked out of the window and felt odd because you were staring too long at the beauty of the cherry blossom?
Cherry blossoms are beautiful, pink and white flowers that are often the talk of the city in Washington, D.C. and Macon, Georgia. There are nearly 11 common cherry tree types.
The Yoshino Cherry Tree is the most popular and known for its white-pink blossoms and almond smell in the spring.
Though Yoshino Cherry Trees are well known, cherry blossoms are native to the United States. Believe it or not, they originated in 1912 as a gift of friendship from the Japanese to Americans.
The cherry tree symbolizes human life and exemplifies the revolution of Japanese culture, according to the National Park Service (NPS).
They bloom in March, but the peak bloom day is often difficult to determine. What makes the peak bloom difficult are the weather conditions.
According to NPS, the peak bloom date occurs when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms are open. Typically, blossoms reach peak bloom between the last week of March and the first week of April.
Warm and cool temperatures have caused the trees to reach peak bloom as early as March 15 in 1990 and as late as April 18 in 1985.
In Washington, D.C., cherry blossoms are the main attraction for many D.C. residents. There is a huge festival called the National Cherry Blossom Festival that happens every year between March and April. The 2021 festival is from March 20 to April 11.
At the festival, people can enjoy pink tie parties, parades, a celebration show, and cherry blossom viewings.
The festival can seem long, but many people enjoy it.
In Macon, Georgia, it’s the talk of the town, and young women have been crowned Miss Cherry Blossom Macon at the Macon Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival.
Cherry blossoms are unique flowers, but what makes them even more special are the communities of people who gather with family and friends around them to create everlasting memories and enjoy their blooms.