COME Into BLOOM
An annual visitor favorite, CityCenterDC’s cherry blossom installation commemorates a long time D.C. tradition.
Every spring, millions of delicate, soft pink petals cause a complete stir in D.C. But the blossoming of the cherry trees isn’t just a stunning, Instagram-worthy sight; this long-awaited flowering (and kickoff to the new season) represents a diplomatic friendship dating back over 110 years.
The trees that line the Tidal Basin—and their peak bloom that’s inspired countless celebrations, like the city’s National Cherry Blossom Festival and our own much-anticipated installation in Palmer Alley—were actually a gift: one bestowed from the People of Japan to the People of the United States in the early 20th century. Back then, their journey was a long one. On Valentine’s Day in 1912, 3,020 cherry trees were shipped from Yokohama on board a ship bound for Seattle. From there, the flora made their way across the country in insulated freight cars, ultimately arriving in Washington, D.C.
The mutually beneficial relationship was cemented by the First Lady at the time, Helen Herron Taft, and the Viscountess Chinda, the wife of the Japanese Ambassador, who planted two of these cherry trees on the northern bank of the Tidal Basin. Want to witness a piece of history in person? The original trees still stand today, distinguished by a commemorative bronze plaque marking the occasion.
CityCenterDC’s nod to this annual flowering comes in the form of one of our iconic installations, one that hangs high above Palmer Alley.
Inspired by Europe’s tradition of intimate shopping streets, the thoroughfare was designed to showcase rotating art and seasonal décor like this one. First displayed in 2016, a gradient of pink lanterns were more recently joined by artistic representations of the blossoms themselves, dancing in the much-welcomed spring wind. It’s anyone’s guess of when the trees themselves will bloom, but our must-visit experience is yours to witness from March into May.
