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Live · updated todayTypical peak look

Washington, DCtulips

around the Tidal Basin

Out of season: the next tulips season is in 2027.

Right now in Washington, DC · September

  • Summer heat · Jun–Sep

185days to the next tulips seasonApr 1–20, Tulips come up in early to mid-April, per the National Park Service

Local timing
Apr 1–20
Tulips come up in early to mid-April, per the National Park Service. General timing for this place: not a peak date, and not a forecast.

Next 7 days

No frost, strong wind or heavy rain in the forecast.

National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 10:53 AM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.

Washington DC through the year

  • Cherry blossomsMar–Apr
  • Green-upMar–Apr
  • Cherry Blossom FestivalMar–Apr
  • Summer heatNowJun–Sep
  • Fourth of JulyJul

Best spots around Washington DC

  • Floral Library92 beds of tulip varieties by the Tidal Basin, designed in 1968
  • First Division Monument flower bedA bed shaped like the First Division's patch, beside the monument at 17th Street and State Place; the Park Service says recent spring plantings have included red tulips (not promised every year)

Washington, DC in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions
A bed of orange tulips in front of an equestrian statue on a pedestal
Orange tulips at Washington Circle in Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C. (not the Floral Library). Photo: AgnosticPreachersKid at en.wikipedia · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · resized

How we know

National Park Service, First Division Monument (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · USA National Phenology Network, Spring Index 1991–2020 averages (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · National Park Service, Tidal Basin Loop Trail (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · National Park Service, Bloom Watch: bloom stage dates by year (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · National Park Service, Cherry blossom events and activities (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · National Park Service, National Cherry Blossom Festival (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · National Park Service, Fourth of July on the National Mall (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · National Park Service, Weather on the National Mall (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26)

All our sources and how we use them →

Questions people ask

When is peak tulips in Washington DC in 2027?

Tulips come up in early to mid-April, per the National Park Service: Apr 1–20. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.

Is it blooming in Washington DC right now?

Not now: the tulips season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 185 days (Apr 1–20, Tulips come up in early to mid-April, per the National Park Service).

When are the tulips planted?

In November. They come up sometime in early to mid-April.Source: National Park Service, Tidal Basin Loop Trail ↗ (opens in a new tab)

What happens to the beds after the tulips?

The tulips are replaced every year by annuals, which is why it’s called the Floral Library today.Source: National Park Service, Tidal Basin Loop Trail ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How can I tell the varieties apart?

When they’re in bloom, look for the pamphlets that describe each flower.Source: National Park Service, Tidal Basin Loop Trail ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where are the best spots in Washington DC?

Floral Library: 92 beds of tulip varieties by the Tidal Basin, designed in 1968; First Division Monument flower bed: a bed shaped like the First Division's patch, beside the monument at 17th Street and State Place; the Park Service says recent spring plantings have included red tulips (not promised every year).

When are the festivals in Washington DC?

Cherry Blossom Festival, usually in Mar–Apr and Fourth of July, usually in Jul.

What is Washington DC like through the year?

Cherry blossoms (Mar–Apr), Green-up (Mar–Apr), Cherry Blossom Festival (Mar–Apr), Fourth of July (Jul) and Summer heat (Jun–Sep).