D.C.’s cherry blossoms

In spring 2012, the nation celebrated 100 years since the Japanese gave us the iconic cherry trees that flourish around the Tidal Basin.

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March 28, 2012

Large cherry blossom projections appear on the Reagan Building in Washington, D.C. This is part of the five-week centennial celebration to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the gift of the trees.

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

March 28, 2012

William Robichaud from Burlington, Mass., takes a photo of the cherry blossom projections on the Reagan Building.

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

March 28, 2012

Large cherry blossom projections appear on the Reagan Building.

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

March 28, 2012

From left, Ian Campbell, Alec Bernstein and Lindsay Robbins view the cherry blossom projections on the Reagan Building.

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

March 22, 2012

David Taylor of the District and Elizabeth Ritter of Chevy Chase, Md., both lawyers by profession, appear in period costumes at the Tidal Basin to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Japan's gift of 3,000 cherry trees to the United States. Because of the unusually warm weather in recent weeks, peak bloom of the trees arrived Tuesday, two weeks earlier than normal.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

March 22, 2012

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is framed by cherry blossoms.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

March 22, 2012

The cherry trees bloom along the Tidal Basin.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

March 22, 2012

The cherry blossoms are just past the perfect peak.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

March 20, 2012

Thunderstorms and blossoms announce the coming of spring in Washington.

J. Scott Applewhite / AP

March 20, 2012

President Obama walks among cherry blossoms in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington.

Jason Reed / Reuters

March 19, 2012

Clara Loiter, 3, and her mother, Jennifer Frericks, of Washington, blow bubbles under a Yoshino cherry blossom tree at the National Arboretum in Washington.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

March 19, 2012

Cherry blossoms bloom along the Tidal Basin, framing the Jefferson Memorial in Washington.

Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images

March 19, 2012

Khandan Jahanshani of Tehran looks at the blooming cherry blossom trees along the Tidal Basin in Washington.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

March 19, 2012

Cherry blossoms begin to bloom at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial on the Tidal Basin in Washington.

Charles Dharapak / AP

March 19, 2012

Cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin frame the Washington Monument.

Karen Bleier / AFP/Getty Images

March 19, 2012

Margaret Huddy creates a cherry blossom scene as she is surrounded by blooming trees near Ohio Drive SW in Washington.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

March 19, 2012

Elif Esiyok of Bethesda is framed by blooming blossoms after taking photos near Ohio Drive SW.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

March 19, 2012

Taking a break from an engagement photo shoot, Deirdre Dorval, left, embraces Matt Wells, both of Washington, D.C., as they wait for their photographer to return while surrounded by blooming cherry blossoms near the Tidal Basin in Washington. Tuesday signals the first day of spring. The National Cherry Blossom Festival also begins Tuesday and runs through April 27.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

March 19, 2012

Cherry blossoms are reflected in the Tidal Basin as a bicyclist makes his way past the blooming trees in Washington.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

March 15, 2012

Blooming cherry blossoms frame the Jefferson Memorial, near the Tidal Basin in Washington.

Susan Walsh / AP

March 15, 2012

With the Washington Monument in the background, cherry blossoms bloom near the Tidal Basin in Washington.

Susan Walsh / AP

March 15, 2012

Cherry blossoms are in bloom near the Tidal Basin in Washington.

Susan Walsh / AP

March 12, 2012

Budding cherry blossom trees along the Tidal Basin are seen with the Washington Monument in the background. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the gift of the trees from Japan, with peak bloom expected between March 24 and March 31, according to the National Park Service.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

March 12, 2012

A woman runs past budding cherry blossom trees along the Tidal Basin in Washington.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

March 12, 2012

A bird peers out from a hole in a budding cherry blossom tree.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

March 12, 2012

Ducks sit under a budding cherry blossom tree along the Tidal Basin looking toward the Jefferson Memorial.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

March 12, 2012

A budding cherry blossom branch is seen. Some organizers of the festival are worried that the warm weather will cause the cherry blossoms to peak too soon.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

March 12, 2012

A man walks past budding cherry blossom trees along the Tidal Basin in Washington.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

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