Bloom Watch

Peak Bloom Reached
March 17th

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NPS Photo

Peak Bloom & Blooming Period

When is peak bloom?
The peak bloom date is defined as the day when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) blossoms are open. Peak bloom varies annually depending on weather conditions. The most likely time to reach peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April. Extraordinary warm or cool temperatures have resulted in peak bloom as early as March 15 (1990) and as late as April 18 (1958).

How long is peak bloom?
The Yoshino trees typically bloom for a period of several days. The length of the blooming period depends on weather conditions. Cool, calm weather can extend the length of the bloom, and a rainy, windy day can bring an abrupt end to the ephemeral blossoms. A late frost can prevent the trees from blooming at all.

Predicting the bloom.
Forecasting peak bloom is almost impossible more than 10 days in advance. The cherry trees' blossom development is dependent on weather conditions. National Park Service horticulturists monitor bud development and report the status of the blossoms.

Year	Green Buds	Florets Visible	Extension of Florets	Peduncle Elongation	Puffy White	Peak Bloom
2024	Mar 2	Mar 5	Mar 8	Mar 12	Mar 15	Mar 17
2023	Feb 23	Mar 1	Mar 7	Mar 11	Mar 18	Mar 23
2022	Mar 3	Mar 7	Mar 14	Mar 17	Mar 19	Mar 21
2021	Mar 11	Mar 16	Mar 22	Mar 24	Mar 26	Mar 28
2020	Feb 28	Mar 3	Mar 9	Mar 12	Mar 16	Mar 20
2019	Mar 5	Mar 17	Mar 23	Mar 25	Mar 29	Apr 1
2018	Feb 25	Mar 15	Mar 26	Mar 29	Apr 1	Apr 5
2017	Feb 24	Mar 1	Mar 6	Mar 8	Mar 22*	Mar 25*
2016	Mar 8	Mar 13	Mar 15	Mar 17	Mar 22	Mar 25
2015	Mar 18	Apr 1	Apr 4	Apr 6	Apr 8	Apr 10
2014	Mar 16	Mar 23	Mar 31	Apr 4	Apr 7	Apr 10
2013	Mar 11	Mar 17	Mar 26	Mar 31	Apr 4	Apr 9
2012	Feb 29	Mar 8	Mar 12	Mar 14	Mar 15	Mar 20
2011	Feb 28	Mar 9	Mar 16	Mar 19	Mar 22	Mar 29
2010	Mar 14	Mar 19	Mar 21	Mar 23	Mar 26	Mar 31
2009	Mar 3	Mar 12	Mar 18	Mar 23	Mar 27	Apr 1
2008	Feb 19	Mar 11	Mar 17	Mar 18	Mar 24	Mar 26
2007	Mar 5	Mar 20	Mar 25	Mar 27	Mar 28	Apr 1
2006	Feb 28	Mar 13	Mar 14	Mar 16	Mar 22	Mar 30
2005	Mar 7	Mar 22	Mar 31	Apr 3	Apr 4	Apr 9
2004	Mar 4	Mar 12	Mar 15	Mar 22	Mar 27	Mar 31

Please note: Dates reflect when 70% of the Tidal Basin yoshino cherry tree buds have reached the designated stage. You may see individual trees reach the designated stage before or after the date recorded.

* Approximately half of the Yoshino blossoms were lost due to a late frost that occurred March 14-16, 2017. Puffy white and peak bloom are defined as when 70% of the surviving blossoms reach those stages.

NPS Image

Alternative Text for the Image

Five images on a gray background show the stages of blooming. Labels are above an image of each stage.

Stage 1: Green Bud (small nodes on the end of a twig)
Stage 2: Florets Visible (larger nodes on the twig)
Stage 3: Extension of Florets (the nodes begin to fill and burst)
Stage 4: Peduncle Elongation (the nodes are opening and petals begin to show)
Stage 5: Puffy Blossoms (pink blossoms are visible erupting from the wide green bases of each node on the twig)