Japanese Cherry Blossom

Did you know

• Japan gifted 3,020 cherry trees to Washington, D.C. in 1912, creating one of America's most beloved spring festivals.
• The Japanese tradition of hanami, or flower viewing beneath blooming cherry trees, dates back over 1,000 years.
• The cultivar 'Kanzan' with its double pink flowers is the most widely planted ornamental cherry in the Western world.
• Cherry blossoms typically last only one to two weeks, which is why they symbolize the impermanence of life in Japanese culture.
• Japan's Meteorological Agency issues annual cherry blossom forecasts called 'sakura zensen' tracking the bloom front northward.

Color meanings

Uses

• ornamental tree
• cultural celebrations
• parks and avenues
• sakura-flavored foods