Photo by María Helena Carey
There is no denying the magnificence and majestic beauty that the Yoshino cherry blossoms possess. Their near-white pinkness; the graceful bend of their branches; their soft, full canopies that bloom in these perfect clouds; and the ensuing shower of petals they leave in their wake are all incredible to witness, year after year– so much so that people from all over the world come and bask in their majesty, risking blisters from walking and severe hypothermia from our “mild” spring temperatures. Once the cherry blossoms are gone, along with the kites and the parade and the cherry-themed promotions and the tourists, there is a feeling of sadness and emptiness and of wishing more time had been spent in the company of cherry blossoms… or is there? Well, for one the trees are soon verdant and lush with happy pointy leaves, so you know– that is kind of a win right there. But then, in quick succession, come all the other trees that don’t get their own festival but that gladden the hearts and prettify the sidewalks with their own beauty and grace. So let’s take a few minutes to celebrate and appreciate the beauty of our own local trees, the dogwoods and redbuds, with their papery, perfectly symmetrical blossoms, and with their fuchsia rosettes that coat their barks like little flower sweaters, respectively; the other cherries, such as the Kanzan, which do not get a festival but whose almost-garish showiness and bright pink eddies of petals are a festival onto itself; the gorgeous flowering crabapples that lend their perfume and beauty to Pennsylvania Avenue, making it look like a path made out of marble for the week or so they remain abloom; the magnificent linden trees, with their orangey fragrance and their double leaves; the locusts with their grapey scent; and even the elms, with their delicate showers of seeds that turn any gentle wind into a tableau out of a painting. Take a few minutes to stroll down the street and appreciate our city, which does spring so exquisitely –even if violently. Aim to learn at least one tree name. Pick a bloom off the ground and save it for when it’s twenty-nine degrees outside. Load up on Claritin and breathe the air, and enjoy our crazy, gorgeous Capital spring.