This D.C.-area rite of spring brings joy, hope after a long and hard winter, and millions of visitors to the Tidal Basin and the National Mall — it’s cherry blossom season!
The predicted peak bloom dates for 2026 are between March 29 to April 1. The peak bloom period happens when 70% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms are open.
When the weather cooperates, the final stage of the blossoms’ bloom cycle can last about a week.
Check out the latest updates and keep up with their progress below.
Cherry blossoms reach final stage before peak bloom
Peak bloom is just around the corner for D.C.’s cherry blossoms. The Yoshino cherry trees reached stage five of six Monday.
The trees are officially in their puffy white stage, according to the National Park Service.
All that’s left is to wait on peak bloom, which the Park Service said is expected this week.
Peduncle time: Cherry blossom trees on National Mall hit stage 4 of 6
It’s the first weekend of spring and the National Mall is starting to look like the season.
According to the National Park Service, the cherry blossoms are now at stage four out of six toward reaching peak bloom for the year.
This stage is called peduncle elongation.
The next stage, which is five out of six, is puffy blossoms.
Halfway there: Cherry blossom trees on National Mall hit stage 3 of 6
On a day severe storms and potential tornadoes blew through the D.C. region, the National Mall’s cherry blossom trees provided a reason to smile Monday.
The trees hit stage three of six on the way to peak bloom, which the National Park Service predicted will happen between March 29 and April 1.
Florets on the trees have now extended. The next step? Peduncle elongation.
Oh, we’re halfway there! The cherry blossoms have reached Florets Extended, the 3rd of 6 stages.
Follow along online: https://t.co/h04Gu0ksc1#Cherryblossom #BloomWatch #WashingtonDC pic.twitter.com/FfBjqGdOab— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) March 16, 2026
DC cherry trees reach 2nd of six stages: Florets visible
What’s that peeking out from the green buds on the cherry trees? Yep, they’re florets and they’re visible.
Just a couple of days after green buds emerged, D.C.’s Yoshino cherry blossoms reached the florets visible stage, the second of six stages before peak bloom.
Stage 2! The Yoshino cherry blossoms are now at Florets Visible, the 2nd of 6 stages. The weather will play a big role in how quickly we get to Peak Bloom, so stay tuned. Follow the #BloomWatch online: https://t.co/h04Gu0ksc1#Cherryblossom #WashingtonDC pic.twitter.com/bhAXbFmj3e
— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) March 13, 2026
Buddy up: Stage 1's cherry blossom buds have appeared
Alert your cherry blossom buddies: The Tidal Basin’s trees are budding.
The National Park Service announced the emergence of the first small, green buds on social media. Their arrival is the first stage of six.
LET’S GO! Small green buds are appearing on the Yoshino cherry trees, marking the 1st of 6 stages on the way to peak bloom.
Learn more: https://t.co/Yd0Z1y1FHD#Cherryblossom #BloomWatch #WashingtonDC pic.twitter.com/dNzuGKrYXy
— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) March 11, 2026
The green buds also appeared this day in 2025. If they stick to the same schedule, we could see Stage 2 — the first florets — March 16.
Last year’s peak bloom began March 28. This year, the National Park Service’s predicted peak bloom dates are March 29-April 1.
Peak bloom dates announced
The National Park Service has projected the Yoshino cherry trees along the Tidal Basin will likely reach peak bloom from March 29 to April 1.
Of course, weather plays into the flowers’ timing. The trees have combated weeks of frigid temperatures that followed a January wintry storm characterized by “snowcrete.”
