Cherry Esplanade

Cherry Esplanade is a broad green lawn bordered by allées of flowering cherry and red oak trees. The double-flowering ‘Kanzan’ cherries typically bloom at the end of April, one of the highlights of spring.

Along the eastern and western edges of Cherry Esplanade are allées of scarlet oak trees, the Liberty Oaks, planted in remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001, and those who lost their lives that day.

Cherry Walk is a meandering path east of Cherry Esplanade and behind the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. The trees here include double rows of ‘Kanzan’ cherries at the northern end and a wide variety of other cultivars along the southern end. Some of these cultivars are among the earliest to bloom during cherry blossom season.

Cherry Blossom Season

Hanami is a centuries-old Japanese tradition of flower viewing. Spring cherry blossoms are cherished for their ephemeral nature and are thought to represent the impermanence of life. An individual tree may only bloom for a week or two, depending on the weather; different kinds of trees bloom over the course of five to six weeks. Cherry trees usually begin to flower in late March. The Garden tracks blooms on CherryWatch.

Highlights