Take Time to Smell D.C.'s Cherry Blossoms

W A S H I N G T O N, March 18, 2004 -- Cherry blossoms may be a sign of spring in thenation's capital, but visitors who don't take time to stop andsmell the flowers are missing both a visual and sensual treat.

"Nothing compares with the beauty of the early spring blooms inthe national capital area," said David Ellis, spokesman for theAmerican Horticultural Society. Daffodils, tulips and forsythiabegin blooming in late March, although the cherry blossoms of theTidal Basin generate the most headlines.

The AHS hosts "Washington Blooms" events throughout April atits George Washington River Farms headquarters in Alexandria, Va.,across the Potomac River from Washington. Formal beds on thegrounds erupt with the bold colors and vibrant pastels of spring asearly as mid-March.

National Park Service officials have indicated that the peakbloom for the cherry blossoms will occur between March 24 and April2. That's when 70 percent of the 3,700 trees are expected to bevisible. The bloom coincides with the National Cherry BlossomFestival, which runs March 27 through April 11.

"There should be plenty of blossoms remaining on the treesSaturday, April 3, for the festival parade," said National ParkService spokesman Bill Line.

Trees a Gift From Japan

The trees are mostly descendants of those presented to the U.S.by Japan in 1912 to mark 60 years of friendly relations. About 150remain from the original stock, and the park service is propagatingcuttings to maintain the historic connection.

U.S. Navy Commodore Matthew C. Perry signed the Treaty ofKanagawa establishing friendship and peace with Japan on March 31,1854. Many of this year's festival events commemorate thatrelationship.

The annual cherry blossom festival has traditionally marked thebeginning of the tourism season for the national capital region.The spring flower bonanza is a prelude to the May 27-30 openingweekend of the National World War II Memorial, and September'sgrand opening of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the AmericanIndian. The Tidal Basin cherry trees are only a small fraction ofWashington's flora. In fact, the nation's capital is considered bymany to be one of the most landscaped cities in the Western world.

"We plant about 100,000 bulbs on the Capitol grounds everyfall," said Matthew Evans, senior landscape architect andhorticulturist for the Office of the Architect of the Capitol.Besides the formal display beds, the grounds are also dotted withnaturalized plantings of tulips, daffodils, and anemones. Astemperatures warm, those beds are taken over by huge plantings ofcanna lilies throughout the summer.

Groundskeepers employed by Congress care for 274 acres aroundthe Capitol complex and adjacent parks. Among the more than 4,000trees included in the landscaping are southern magnolias, oaks,flowering crab apples, golden rain trees and horse chestnuts. Thereare also dozens of trees planted by members of Congress tocommemorate specific historic events, or honor a person,organization or state.

On Edge of Dixie Land

A small brick structure known as "The Summer House" hasprovided a resting place for lawmakers and visitors since 1880.Designed by the Capitol's original landscape architect, FrederickLaw Olmsted, the hexagon-shaped red brick building and surroundinggrotto provided a cool place for quiet reflection in the daysbefore the Capitol was air-conditioned.

The Capitol grounds are also home to the U.S. Botanic Garden andBartholdi Park, where visitors can gather ideas on containergardening and landscaping for a typical urban or suburbanlandscape.

"We can grow things that you'd find in New England and thingsyou'd find in Savannah and Orlando," said Evans, noting that whileWashington is technically in the mid-Atlantic region, it is alsolocated on the very edge of Dixie. "The azaleas at the National Arboretum make you feel like aWashingtonian," said Scott Aker, a staff horticulturist at the446-acre research facility located two miles east of the U.S.Capitol. About six acres of azaleas in various colors cover anentire hillside with blooms between Easter and Mother's Day.

The facility, operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,originated most of the varieties of crepe myrtle trees and shrubsnow popular in the U.S., and is constantly developing newornamental plants.

"We have a lot of casual visitors who come here to get ideas onwhat they can grow in their own garden," said Scott M. Aker, astaff horticulturist.

In addition to the National Grove of State Trees — whichincludes specimens from all 50 states — the arboretum also has anextensive collection of Asian plants and ferns. The National HerbGarden and the National Bonsai Collection are also located there.

The facility also provides a permanent display of 22 sandstoneCorinthian columns which once supported the facade of the U.S.Capitol. A visit to the freestanding, 34-foot-tall columns providesguests with the opportunity to literally walk in the footsteps ofhistoric figures.

"Presidents from Andrew Jackson to Dwight Eisenhower wereinaugurated on the steps that are used as pavers in that area,"said Aker.

If You Go…

CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:

March 27: The 38th Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival, 10 a.m. to4 p.m., National Mall near the Washington Monument. Besides thekite flying competition, there are demonstrations by kite flyingmasters, and an exhibition on kite history. (Rain date: Sunday,March 28) March 27: Opening ceremony, 5:30 p.m., Mandarin Oriental Hotel.Japanese and American entertainment. The event is free but ticketsmust be obtained in advance by calling (202) 661-7590. March 27-April 11: Tidal Basin Cultural Stage, noon-4 p.m.,steps of the Jefferson Memorial. Music, dance and martial artsdemonstrations. March 30-April 1: Free concerts, 4 p.m.-6 p.m., Union Station.Cultural performances and demonstrations. April 3: National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, 10 a.m.,Constitution Avenue between 7 and 17 streets, NW. April 3: Japanese Cherry Blossom Street Festival, noon-6 p.m.,12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Japanese market, food,performances. April 10: Fireworks at 8 p.m., Southwest Waterfront. Best viewedfrom East Potomac Park or the Southwest Waterfront. FOR MORE INFORMATION: National Cherry Blossom Festival,www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org. WASHINGTON, D.C. CONVENTION AND TOURISM CORP.: Contact (202)789-7000 or visit www.washington.org. NATIONAL ARBORETUM: 3501 New York Ave., NE. Contact (202)245-2726 or visit www.usna.usda.gov. Open daily, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

U.S. BOTANIC GARDEN: 100 Maryland Ave., SW. Open daily, 10a.m.-5 p.m. Contact (202) 225-8333 orwww.aoc.gov/usbg/usbg-overview.htm.