Cherry Blossom Season is ALMOST HERE!
Two nor’easters in a week got you down? Sick of the winter in general – the snow, the slush, the freezing rain, the wind, the ice? Get ready, Philadelphia: one of the most beautiful and highly-anticipated symbols of spring is about to burst onto the scene, injecting the City of Brotherly Love with floral freshness and a glorious fragrance. I’m talking, of course, about cherry blossom season. Botanical experts have been consulted, and they agree that the blossoms are going to open very soon: March 24 through April 1st. The estimations of the best cherry blossom days comes from head gardener Sandi Polyakov, head gardener of Shofuso House, which is considered one of the best viewing spots in the city.
A gorgeous and promising symbol of spring, the cherry blossoms of Philadelphia will be blooming soon.
Cherry blossoms will be blooming a bit earlier than usual this year, as the buds generally open in April. Philadelphia’s cherry blossoms will bloom a bit later than those in Washington, D.C., which are expected to open March 17-20. You need not worry about the recent cold affecting the cherry blossoms. From Penn Live: “A cold snap, like the recent nor’easters, can damage trees that have already begun to flower,” said Kim Andrews, executive director of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia. “But buds that haven’t opened will not be affected, and later flowering trees will still hold their blooms into the festival week.”
There should still be plenty of blooms on the trees to coincide with the annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, which starts April 7th. Lasting nine days, this celebration is held by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia in honor of traditional Japanese culture. Everyone will be crossing their fingers that the flowers last until the Festival’s keynote event, Sakura Sunday, which will be on April 15. On this day, the Fairmount Park Horticultural Center hosts dancing, musical performances, cosplayers and karaoke for an all-day celebration.
