Wheaton, Md. – As cherry blossom season begins, Montgomery Parks is inviting residents to use its online cherry tree map to skip the crowds at the Tidal Basin and enjoy peak spring blooms closer to home. The flowering trees are scattered throughout Montgomery Parks, and the map pinpoints their locations in dozens of local parks, trails, and gardens. The map also identifies the trees by species and cultivar, including ‘Yoshino,’ ‘Higan,’ and ‘Okame’.
“We are right on the cusp of cherry blossom season in Montgomery County,” said Josh Demers, senior horticulturist at Montgomery Parks. “Our peak bloom typically arrives a few days to a week after the Tidal Basin. Downtown trees sit in a warmer pocket created by dense buildings and pavement. Here, spring takes its time—that means we expect our buds to start popping open in the first week of April this year.”
Brookside Gardens is considered one of the best viewing areas, thanks to 71 trees in the Japanese-inspired Gude Garden, including 23 added last fall. Martin Luther King Jr and South Germantown Recreational Parks also have significant cherry tree populations. Good blossom viewing based on tree density is available at Kemp Mill Urban Park in Wheaton, Leland Neighborhood Park in Chevy Chase and Sligo Avenue Neighborhood Park in Silver Spring.
Once the blossom begins, it could last for weeks, due to the variety of cherry trees in Montgomery Parks. The different varieties flower at different times, extending the flowering season in parks beyond peak bloom.
“Montgomery Parks cherry blossom season isn’t a single moment – it’s a whole stretch of spring,” said Drew Asbury, horticulturist at Brookside Gardens. “Different varieties take turns blooming so you can catch a fresh wave of color week after week. The best plan is to visit your local park often and watch the landscape change.”
Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages 416 parks and more than 37,000 acres of parkland. Our parks, programs, and facilities promote physical activity, social connection, and environmental stewardship. As part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Montgomery Parks is committed to creating equitable, inclusive, and accessible park experiences. M-NCPPC has been stewarding public lands since 1927 and has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services.
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit MontgomeryParksAccessibility for more information.
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