Cherry blossoms make annual appearance

By Juliette Coulter

Every spring at the Dallas Arboretum’s Dallas Blooms floral festival, there’s a magical moment when the 125 Japanese cherry trees begin to bloom along with the 3,000 azaleas. A wave of delicate pink and white cherry blossoms on the cherry trees are now starting to emerge, indicating that springtime is here in Texas. The flowering Japanese cherry trees — Prunus x yedoensis, also known as Yoshino cherry — are in full bloom. 

In Japan, cherry blossom time is known as Hanami, with parties held both night and day under the Sakura (cherry blossom trees), to celebrate this yearly occurrence and the delicate beauty of life. Hanami dates back to the Heian Period (794-1185) when the Imperial Court in Kyoto held flower-viewing parties beneath the blossoming cherry trees. The flowers were praised by poets as a metaphor for life, “beautiful yet fleeting.” 

Today, branches on many cherry trees at the Arboretum are overflowing with thousands of lacy blooms, and each tree only blooms once a year. Throughout the world, cherry blossom time runs from late March to early May, depending on the climate and local weather conditions. 

 Timed tickets are required and can be purchased online at dallasarboretum.org or by calling 214-515-6615. No walk-ups are available for purchase. For the latest information, visit dallasarboretum.org/blooms.

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