State guide
When to catch District of Columbiathrough the year
We follow 3 places in District of Columbia for wildflowers, cherry blossoms and tulips: spring at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and US National Arboretum. Each timing below is the place's own source, in its words; none is a forecast.
When are you going?
Fall in District of Columbia
Good in fall
- Kenilworth Aquatic GardensBirding (leaves off the trees)
- US National ArboretumHolly berries (autumn)
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after fall
“between the last week of March and the first week of April” · National Park Service ↗
Winter in District of Columbia
Good in winter
- Kenilworth Aquatic GardensBirding (leaves off the trees)
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after winter
“between the last week of March and the first week of April” · National Park Service ↗
Spring in District of Columbia
- USUAL PEAK · CHERRY BLOSSOMSWashington, DCBetween the last week of March and the first week of AprilDistrict of Columbia
“between the last week of March and the first week of April” · National Park Service ↗
- SEASON · WILDFLOWERSKenilworth Aquatic GardensLate May through SeptemberDistrict of Columbia
“late May through September” · National Park Service ↗
- SEASON · CHERRY BLOSSOMSUS National ArboretumEarly March to late April, a few groups of trees at a timeDistrict of Columbia
“early March to late April, a few groups of trees at a time” · US National Arboretum ↗
- ONE SPOT · TULIPSWashington, DCEmerging sometime in early to mid AprilDistrict of Columbia
“emerging sometime in early to mid April” · National Park Service ↗
Also good in spring
- US National ArboretumDeciduous magnolias (early spring)
- Washington, DCGreen-up
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Summer in District of Columbia
Good in summer
- Kenilworth Aquatic GardensSummer flowers
- US National ArboretumEvergreen magnolias (high summer)
- Washington, DCFourth of July
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after summer
“between the last week of March and the first week of April” · National Park Service ↗
Places in District of Columbia
- Spring
Places on this map, as a list
Planning a District of Columbia trip
Current park alerts (NPS)
- Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens: Vehicle Weight Limit at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Entrance ↗
Browse by season and event
- Wildflowers · 1 place hereWildflowers, everywhere →
- Cherry blossoms · 2 places hereCherry blossoms, everywhere →
- Tulips · 1 place hereTulips, everywhere →
Questions people ask
What time of day is best at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens?
Morning. The flowers close later in the day, and the hardy water lilies open at dawn and shut in the afternoon.Sources: National Park Service, Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens FAQ ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Water Lily ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When do the lotuses bloom at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens?
Typically June through August; the first buds form in mid-June, and each flower lasts up to 5 days. Hardy water lilies flower from about May to September.Sources: National Park Service, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Lotus ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Water Lily ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When do the cherries bloom at the National Arboretum at US National Arboretum?
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)
How does the self-guided cherry tour work at US National Arboretum?
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)
What does peak bloom mean at Washington, DC?
The National Park Service calls it peak bloom on the day 70% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms are open.Source: National Park Service, Bloom Watch: bloom stage dates by year ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How long does peak bloom last at Washington, DC?
Usually several days, says the National Park Service. Cool, calm weather can stretch it; a rainy, windy day can end it suddenly, and a late frost can stop the bloom altogether.Source: National Park Service, Bloom Watch: bloom stage dates by year ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Nearby state guides: Maryland · Delaware · Virginia · New Jersey
District of Columbia in pictures
How we know
- Sep 27Park ServiceSummer flowers late May through September; come in the morning; birding October through MarchSource (opens National Park Service, Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens FAQ in a new tab)
- Sep 27ReferenceWhich cherry tour stops usually flower early (March), mid-season (late March to mid-April) and late (mid to late April)Source (opens US National Arboretum, What's Blooming Now? (cherry tour) in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceDates the Tidal Basin Yoshino cherries reached each of the six stages, 2004–2026; peak most likely in the last week of March or first week of AprilSource (opens National Park Service, Bloom Watch: bloom stage dates by year in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceEasy 2.1-mile loop around the Tidal BasinSource (opens National Park Service, Tidal Basin Loop Trail in a new tab)
- National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.