Cherry Blossoms Bloom in February This Year

Raleigh, NC attractions 2009

Cherry blossom time is one of Max's favorite times in Raleigh. The budding flowers are already showing their soft pink color against the drab skeletons of their neighboring trees.

Raleigh usually blooms a couple of weeks ahead of the cherry blossom time in the nation's capital. Washington is planning the National Cherry Blossom festival this year, 2009, starting on March 28 and going to April 12th.

There isn't a direct correlation between the dates we see here in Raleigh with what will happen in D.C. The early arrival here is not unprecedented so there is still hope the blossoms do not come to early this year in the nation's capital.

Cherry blossoms have been a favorite in the United States since the Japanese gave our capital some 3000 trees. If you have an opportunity to be in the capital during the blooming of these beautiful trees you have a real treat coming.

Raleigh is fortunate that many business people and homeowners have decided that these trees are excellent to adorn their properties. As a result Raleigh has a smaller version without the festival. The cities and towns make up for this with frequent festive occasions to celebrate charities and relevant calendar dates.

Different types of cherry tree have different colored blooms. The variations are from a soft pink to a deep pink for the most common types. One type has a little orange in its coloring but is not well represented here in Raleigh in the well traveled parts of the city.

The fruiting versions of cherry trees can be purchased for as little as nine dollars each. Though more practical than the ornamental flowering cherry trees they are not designed for the show.

The ornamental trees cost from fifteen to several hundred dollars. They will not provide the delicious fruit of the fruiting trees but will grow taller and show beautifully each year.

The ornamental trees have other advantages. They are relatively pest free and grow well in urban areas. The flowers do fall off like snow when there is an extra cold day or heavy wind. Other than this minor nuisance they are beautiful trees.

Max writes about greenways, rare diseases, timely topics, places to eat, travel and other issues of interest. He encourages you to add your comments.

Link one to Okame cherry facts from a nursery.

Link two is the Arbor Day Foundation site on the Kwanzan Cherry.

Link three is to the Arbor Day Foundation site on the Yoshino Cherry.