Everyone has heard of DC’s beloved Japanese cherry blossoms–there’s a whole festival around them, after all. But did you know there’s another kind of blossom in the city? And they bloom even earlier! Meet the vastly underrated Japanese plum blossoms.
What do these blossoms look like?
Japanese plum trees may be less famous, but their blossoms are just as beautiful. Japanese plum blossoms bloom in a variety of colors, ranging from white and pink to a crimson red, notes Leslie Frattaroli, national resource program manager for the National Mall and memorial parks.
“The major difference between the Japanese cherry blossoms and the Japanese plum blossoms are that the plums lack the small split at the end of the petals,” Frattaroli adds. “And cherry blossom buds are oval while the plum blossoms are round.”
What do they represent?
Japanese plums were introduced to Japan from China, says Frattaroli.
“Since they usually bloom when snow or frost is still on the ground, they represent endurance, good health, and overcoming the adversity of winter,” she adds.
Since they are some of the first flowers of the year, they are also known to represent renewal and purity, as well as the beginning of spring.
“In Japan, the blooming of the Japanese plums are celebrated with plum festivals,” Frattaroli says.
When and where can you see them?
Like the cherry trees, the plum tree blossoms depend on the number of chilling and heating hours that they experience, explains Frattaroli. And the peak bloom will vary from year-to-year dependent on local conditions, she adds.
Looking to get a glimpse of these beautiful and unique blossoms? Look no further than the National Mall and Memorial Parks!
Located just west of the DC War Memorial are five plum trees, and according to Frattaroli, they should peak this month.
Megan Herr is an editor and writer residing in the Shenandoah Valley. She graduated with a degree in journalism from Penn State University.
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