16 Things You Didn't Know About Cherry Blossoms - House Beautiful

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Spotting these pretty pink flowers signals the start of spring, but have you ever wondered about their history? Cherry blossoms, which aren't native to the U.S., have quite the surprising backstory.

Cherry blossoms are Japan's national flower.

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Known as "sakura" in Japanese, these pale blooms are a symbol of more than just spring — they stand for renewal and hope.

Picnicking beneath cherry blossom trees is a Japanese tradition.

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The century-old custom is known as "hanami," which means flower viewing. Early scripture hints that the tradition began with emperors and members of the Imperial Palace.

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"Hanami" picnics are arguably more spectacular at night.

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For these late-night picnics, known as "yozakura," the Japanese hang paper lanterns in cherry blossom trees to illuminate them.

Cherry blossom festivals celebrate more than just spring.

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According to the National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C., the flower is a symbol for the friendship between Japan and the U.S.

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U.S. cherry blossom trees date back to 1912.

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Japan sent the trees to the U.S. to represent goodwill. In 1915, we reciprocated by sending flowering dogwood trees to Japan.

Japan had tried to send over cherry blossoms once before.

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In 1910, U.S. inspectors from the Department of Agriculture recommended burning this gift from the Japanese after finding insects and diseases in the trees. According to Washingtonian, this nearly caused a diplomatic crisis.

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Peak bloom is usually around April 4.

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Defined as the day when 70% of Toshino cherry trees are open, peak bloom varies each year (with the mean date of April 4 in Washington, D.C.). The blooming period can last up to 14 days. In 2016, peak bloom happened on March 26 in D.C.

Bloom predictions can't be made too far in advance.

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Really, you're at the mercy of Mother Nature. If you're thinking of going to the National Cherry Blossom Festival next year, keep up with the National Park Service's Bloom Watch to get updates on the blossoms.

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They make up the best-selling fragrance in the U.S.

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The top perfume in the U.S. is Bath and Body Works' Japanese Cherry Blossom. Thirty million units of the mixture of cherry blossoms, crisp pears, mimosa petals, and sweet sandalwood are sold each year.

In Japan, this is the most iconic view of cherry blossoms.

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The image, cherry blossoms framing Mount Fuji, is a common postcard view, thanks to its lake-surrounded location.

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In the U.S., we most often associate cherry blossoms with our nation's capital.

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National landmarks surrounded by spring flowers attract visitors to Washington, D.C.'s Tidal Basin each spring.

Neither D.C. nor Japan hold the title of "Cherry Blossom Capital of the World."

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Rather, it's Macon, Georgia, which is home to 300,000 Yoshino cherry blossom trees. While these trees obviously are not native to the South, William A. Fickling Sr., a local realtor, discovered one in his own backyard in 1949. On a business trip to Washington, D.C., he learned more about cherry blossoms and sought to bring more to his hometown.

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Cherry blossoms are said to be native to the Himalayas.

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According to the Huffington Post, these flowers likely originated somewhere in Eurasia before migrating to Japan.

There are 200 different varieties of cherry blossom.

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In Japan, the most popular variety is "Somei Yoshino." In the U.S., mainly Yoshino hybrids line the Tidal Basin, National Mall, and Potomac waterfront.

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They aren't always pink.

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The Takesimensis variety, known for its white flowers, is actually more common than you might think in the U.S. Other blossoms change colors throughout the blooming period, such as Ukon, which go from greenish yellow to white before turning pink.

Each tree may only bloom for up to a week.

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While cherry blossom season usually lasts about a month, from the time the first to the last tree blooms, each individual tree may only flower for about a week. Trees usually live for 30 to 40 years.

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