Washington DC cherry blossoms reach peak bloom – pictures

The annual flowering of the cherry trees around the city's tidal basin has begun – finally. The first trees were ceremonially planted by First Lady Helen Taft and Japanese Viscountess Iwa Chinda on March 27, 1912

Guardian staff

  • Park officials had predicted the peak bloom would arrive between 8 April and 12 April, and they bloomed on target. Peak bloom means at least 70% of the trees around the Tidal Basin are blossoming with pink and white flowers. Photograph: Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images
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  • The blossoms draw photographers and fans from all over the world. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
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  • Early emerging cherry blossoms are reflected in the Tidal Basin. The Yoshino cherry trees usually bloom for seven to 10 days, said park spokesman Brian Hall. Photograph: Gary Cameron/Reuters
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  • The sun begins to rise behind the Jefferson Memorial on Thursday. Photograph: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
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  • Darlene Yarrington of Fredericksburg, Virginia, has her picture taken with the famed cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin in Washington DC on Wednesday. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
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  • This year's peak bloom comes slightly later than average due to cold weather in March. The average bloom date since 1992 is 31 March. Photograph: Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images
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  • Last year the blossoms reached peak bloom on 9 April. The trees bloomed as late as 18 April in 1958. Photograph: Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images
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  • Helen Gonzales, 21, left, and Wagas Noor, 21, both of Washington DC, paddle boat among hanging cherry blossoms in bloom at the Tidal Basin. Photograph: Jacquelyn Martin/AP
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