Cherry Blossoms Facts

One of the most common facts about cherry blossom is that they are the national flower of Japan. Also known as the Konoha or Tree Flower, or Sakura, the cherry blossoms are a symbol of renewal, hope and new life in Japan. It also represents the constantly ebbing nature of life and depicts the different traditions of the country.

One of the oldest customs and traditions in Japan is that of “Hanami,” which literally translates to flower viewing. The Japanese people indulge in hanami by enjoying picnics beneath the cherry blossom trees. It is believed that this century-old custom began with the emperors and the members of the Imperial Palace enjoying a feast under the blooming branches of these trees.

Amongst the most interesting cherry blossom facts is that the festivals pertaining to this flower celebrate a lot more than just the spring season. These festivals celebrate life and nature in Japan, while the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. is celebrated as a symbol of the long-lasting friendship between Japan and the United States of America.

Not many people know; once, in the year 1910, Japan tried to send over cherry blossoms to the United States. Upon arrival, the U.S. inspectors, belonging to the Department of Agriculture, recommended that the 2000 trees sent from Japan should be burned since there were insects and other diseases in them. This also resulted in a diplomatic crisis, which was later averted.

Another one of the top facts about cherry blossoms is that the fragrance of these flowers is said to be one of the most selling products. One of the top perfumes in the United States is the Japanese Cherry Blossom variant by Bath and Body Works, and it is reported that around 30 million units of this fragrance are sold in the country every year.

While both Japan and Washington D.C. are known for their immense population of cherry blossom trees, it is the city of Macon in Georgia, which holds the title of the “Cherry Blossom Capital of the World,” thereby making this one of the more surprising cherry blossom facts. There are more than 350,000 Yoshino cherry blossom trees here, which is around 90 times the number present in D.C.

One of the most surprising cherry blossom facts is that this tree has around 200 different varieties. While the most popular type of cherry blossom in Japan is the Somei Yoshino, other popular varieties around the world include the Yamazakura, Shidarezakura or the Japanese weeping cherry tree, Edohigan, Kanzan, Ichiyou, Kanhizakura, Kikuzakura, Ukon and Fugenzou.

It is a common fact that the cherry blossom flowers are not always pink in colour. Instead, they typically range from a light, pale pink to a bright pink colour, and are often found in ivory and white colours as well. A majority of the cherry blossom trees in Washington D.C. are the Yoshino kind, which has single white flowers, and when mixed with the Akebono variants, they present a pale pink-coloured flower.

Another one of the cherry blossom facts is that each cherry blossom tree tends to bloom for only up to one week. While the season of cherry blossoms tends to last for a month or two, usually calculated from the time when the first tree blooms, all the way to the blossoming of the last tree, each individual tree only blooms for around one week.

One of the facts about cherry blossoms suggests that these trees have a relatively shorter lifespan as compared to other types of flowering trees. Quite typically, most cherry blossom trees tend to last for only about 15 to 20 years, while some can live for up to 30 to 40 years. However, there are certain cherry blossom species, such as the Black Cherry trees, which have a life expectancy of about 250 years.

One of the more unknown cherry blossom facts is that the flower petals of the cherry blossom tree, in addition to the leaves of these trees, are all edible. In fact, the flower petals and leaves are often used in the recipes of numerous traditional Japanese sweets and tea, as well as in ice creams. The petals are first pickled and then used to make mochi cakes, cookies as well as candies, Sakura blossom tea or various cocktails.

Amongst the most unknown cherry blossom facts is that these trees are considered to be a symbol of the great friendship between Japan and the United States. This friendship began in 1912, when Japan gifted the plant to the People of the United States, thereby forging a relationship that has lasted many decades.