Discover the remarkable beauty and history of the National Arboretum's flowering cherry trees this spring. The Arboretum maintains one of the most scientifically significant flowering cherry collections in the United States, and it’s starting to bloom right now. The Arboretum’s cherry blossom display is gaining recognition as one of the best cherry blossom experiences in Washington, D.C.

Take a Self-Guided Tour

Beyond the Tidal Basin is a three-mile-long self-guided tour that takes you to 40 ornamental cherry trees throughout the Arboretum. It introduces a wide variety of flowering cherries, many of which are quite rare. Each type has its own peak bloom time, so you will see different trees in peak bloom depending on when you visit.

Stops on the tour are marked with bright pink signs, and have QR codes that lead to more information about each tree. If driving, please park only in designated areas. Use the Beyond the Tidal Basin booklet to help guide your tour.

Take the Tour >

Doing Hanami



Hanami is the Japanese word for cherry blossom viewing, and the practice dates to the Japanese emperors of the 9th century CE. Sakura (cherry blossoms) appear in Japanese myth, poetry, and other art, and their brief blooming has long symbolized a short life well lived. Hanami evolved over time and gradually became more accessible to ordinary people. It is a communal event, with friends and families gathering for picnics and parties under the trees’ shade. Hanami retains a special place in Japanese culture and it has spread to this country too. As you explore the grounds, make sure to pause and appreciate this short, special season in Washington, D.C.

Congratulations to Ben Stephenson for coming in first in FONA’s Flowering 5K! He finished the race in 17 minutes and 39 seconds— an accomplishment made even more impressive as he pushed a stroller the entire race.

Congratulations as well to Jonathan Carter and Kelsey Hochleitner for coming in second and third place, respectively. The hustle these top three finishers displayed on the course was evident in their final sprints uphill to the finish line.

Thank you to everyone who participated in Sunday’s race and brought such amazing energy to the Arboretum! We hope you enjoyed the race and can’t wait to see you again for our Fall 5K on October 31st, 2026! Registration is coming soon.

FONA’s Native Plant Sale is this Saturday, March 28th! From 8 AM to 1 PM outside the Visitor Center, shop for spring ephemerals, woody plants, and choice perennials from five local native plant vendors. Hill House Nursery, Goodman LLC Native Plants & Conservation Consultancy, Nature by Design, Seven Bends Nursery, and Pollinator Rare Plants will all join us for this sale.

In the past, vendors have sold out quickly, so arrive early to shop the full selection of plants. Register for the Native Plant Sale to let us know you’re coming and receive event reminders. Please note this event is much smaller than our Garden Fair & Plant Sale, which will happen on Saturday, April 25th.

Register for the Native Plant Sale >

Calling all D.C. school garden educators! Applications are now open for FONA’s 9th annual Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching. This four-day training will take place from July 14th to 17th at the National Arboretum. Learn from expert gardeners and past teacher participants about outdoor group management techniques, standards-aligned activities, how to fund your garden program, and more. The goal of this training is to inspire and support teachers and school staff to more fully integrate their school garden into their daily educational activities. All participants will also receive a stipend. Applications will be accepted through May 1st, with a priority deadline of April 6th. See the form below for eligibility requirements and other details. 

Apply to the Summer Institute >

Nothing is quite as dramatic in the garden as the vertical effect of the long, dangling, pearl-like racemes of early spiketail. Tiny bell-shaped flowers drip from every branch in elegant green or pale yellow strands. This plant is native to much of Japan, where many subspecies thrive in many different environments, from coasts to mountain ranges. While its foliage will never be the star of the show, variegated early spiketail varieties are available in every shade and pattern of cream, yellow, and green, offering interest when their flowers have faded. While it is hardy to USDA zone 6, protect Stachyurus praecox from cold winter winds to ensure a good bloom. Plant it in full or partial sun in acidic, moist soil, and not too far away from a path, so the flowers on this medium-sized shrub can be admired up close. When visiting the U.S. National Arboretum’s Camellia Collection, swing by the Japanese Woodland in the Asian Collections to witness the beauty of early spiketail.

Kamala Codrington-White, an Agricultural Science Research Technician at the National Arboretum, shares plants of note at the Arboretum in this recurring segment. Find these plants on your next trip to the Arboretum. Photos by the National Arboretum.

See our calendar for a list of all of our upcoming events and programs. Events highlighted in purple have member perks like discounts and early access to registration. Donate any amount to become a FONA member!