Jacqueline Ruffino
The flower buds are beginning to show their little heads in all colors. Opening their eyes, unfolding their little petals, and sending out the exotic aroma of delicate perfumes. Gardenia, rose, lilac, magnolia, jasmine, orange blossoms, and the smells of fresh cut grass. How delightful to be surrounded among these glorious, colorful floral arrangements. One Sunday afternoon in the year 1997 my friend Jan knew my intrigue and interest in springtime’s colorful bushes and we drove to the National Arboretum where these pink, red, white, orange, and fuchsia clusters of petite flowers were exhibited.
Azalea are the names of these incredible growing plants mostly found in spring and summer temperatures. Here in Arizona, there are similar decorative bushes called Bougainvillea, in many colors.
I spent many years in Washington, D.C., and when spring arrived, cherry blossoms made their presence known throughout the area. Around the Tidal Basin, Washington Monument, Capitol Building, White House, Lincoln Memorial, and every street and corner within the area.
The plantings of cherry trees originated in 1912 as a gift of friendship to the people of the United States from the people of Japan. In Japan, the flowering cherry tree, or “Sakura,” is an exalted flowering plant.
The beauty of the cherry blossom is a potent symbol equated with human life and epitomizes the transformation of Japanese culture throughout the ages.
In the winter of 1912: On Feb. 14, 3,020 cherry trees from 12 varieties were shipped from Yokohama on board the S.S. Awa Maru, bound for Seattle. Upon arrival, they were transferred to insulated freight cars for the shipment to Washington, D.C.
March 26: 3,020 cherry trees arrived in Washington, D.C.
1941: On Dec. 11, four cherry trees were cut down in suspected retaliation for the Japanese attack against the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The exact reason for the vandalism never was substantiated. In hopes of preventing future damage during the Second World War, the trees were referred to as the “Oriental” flowering cherry trees.
1965: The Japanese government made another generous gift of 3,800 Yoshino trees to a first lady devoted to the beautification of Washington, Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President Lyndon Baines Johnson.
American-grown this time, many of these trees are planted on the grounds of the Washington Monument. The planting ceremony of 1912 was reenacted at this time.
During March and April, Washington, D.C., is overwhelmed with visitors as well as those living within the metropolitan area to visit the Tidal Basin and all its surrounding areas to take in the magnificent cherry blossom trees.
Springtime in Washington, D.C., was always my favorite time to spend a few hours to visit museums, libraries. flowering gardens, tulip gardens, and of course the famous cherry blossoms.