US National Arboretumcherry blossoms

There's no forecast yet. In a typical year it peaks Mar 1–Apr 30. We add the forecast as soon as one is published.

Not now: the cherry blossoms season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 154 days (usually Mar 1–Apr 30).

Over about two months. The Arboretum sorts its tour trees into early bloomers (early to late March), mid-season (late March to mid-April) and late (mid to late April), and says the timing shifts a little each year with temperature and day length.Sources: US National Arboretum, What's Blooming Now? (cherry tour) ↗ (opens in a new tab), US National Arboretum, Beyond the Tidal Basin cherry tour booklet ↗ (opens in a new tab)

The Beyond the Tidal Basin tour visits 40 cherries spread over the Arboretum's 450 acres, each marked with a big numbered stake, on a route of about three miles. Allow enough time if you walk it, and if you drive, park only in designated areas.Source: US National Arboretum, Beyond the Tidal Basin cherry tour booklet ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Admission is free. The grounds are open 8 am to 5 pm every day except December 25, with last entry at 4:30 pm. The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is open 10 am to 4 pm, except federal holidays from November through February.Source: US National Arboretum, Hours and Directions ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Use the R Street gate (2400 R Street NE), open to incoming traffic 8 am to 4:30 pm daily; the New York Avenue gate closes at 2 pm on weekdays. Walkers and cyclists enter at R Street, where there's a Capital Bikeshare dock. The closest Metro station is Stadium-Armory (Blue, Orange and Silver lines), linked to the Arboretum by Metrobus C41.Source: US National Arboretum, Hours and Directions ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Only in designated areas or on the pavement, and keep to the 20 mph speed limit on the Arboretum's roads.Sources: US National Arboretum, Rules and Guidelines ↗ (opens in a new tab), US National Arboretum, Beyond the Tidal Basin cherry tour booklet ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Yes, on a leash at all times, kept out of the garden beds, and cleaned up after. Pets can't go into the Administration Building or the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.Source: US National Arboretum, Rules and Guidelines ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Picnics are allowed only in the picnic area of the National Grove of State Trees, with no barbecues, fires or alcohol. Don't pick flowers or climb the trees.Source: US National Arboretum, Rules and Guidelines ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Not yet: the Arboretum grew them from Stumpy's cuttings, and they flowered for the first time in spring 2026, but they're kept in a non-public research area until the National Park Service plants them. The Arboretum suggests its cherry tour to see other Yoshinos in the meantime.Source: US National Arboretum, “Stumpy” Propagules are Alive and Well! ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Weeping cherries by the National Herb Garden: tour stop 40: a pair planted in the early 1950s, among the Arboretum's oldest cherries, propped since 2023 with traditional Japanese crutches (tsurazue); Tidal Basin Yoshino clones (tour stop 29): two Yoshinos tied to the Tidal Basin: one a clone of the tree Helen Taft planted in 1912, the other grown from a cutting of Viscountess Iwa Chinda's tree; Prunus Research Field (tour stop 35): a research field with cherries from 1980s Japanese seed and Arboretum hybrids, flowering early to late; the next stops show the Arboretum's own 'Helen Taft', 'Dream Catcher' and 'First Lady'; Akebono planting (tour stop 2): a group of 'Akebono' Yoshino cherries whose flowers open white with a trace of pink.

Deciduous magnolias (early spring) (Mar), Cherry blossoms (Mar–Apr), Azaleas on Mount Hamilton (Apr–Jun), Evergreen magnolias (high summer) (Jul) and Holly berries (autumn) (Sep–Nov).