1Cherry blossoms are Japan's national flower.
Getty Images 2Picnicking beneath cherry blossom trees is a Japanese tradition.
Getty Images The century-old custom is known as "hanami," which means flower viewing. Early scripture hints that the tradition began with emperors and members of the Imperial Palace.
3"Hanami" picnics are arguably more spectacular at night.
Getty Images For these late-night picnics, known as "yozakura," the Japanese hang paper lanterns in cherry blossom trees to illuminate them.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4 Cherry blossom festivals celebrate more than just spring.
Getty Images 5U.S. cherry blossom trees date back to 1912.
Getty Images Japan sent the trees to the U.S. to represent goodwill. In 1915, we reciprocated by sending flowering dogwood trees to Japan.
6Japan had tried to send over cherry blossoms once before.
Getty Images In 1910, U.S. inspectors from the Department of Agriculture recommended burning this gift from the Japanese after finding insects and diseases in the trees. According to Washingtonian, this nearly caused a diplomatic crisis.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7Peak bloom is usually around April 4.
Getty Images Defined as the day when 70% of Toshino cherry trees are open, peak bloom varies each year (with the mean date of April 4 in Washington, D.C.). The blooming period can last up to 14 days. In 2016, peak bloom happened on March 26 in D.C.
8Bloom predictions can't be made too far in advance.
Getty Images Really, you're at the mercy of Mother Nature. If you're thinking of going to the National Cherry Blossom Festival next year, keep up with the National Park Service's Bloom Watch to get updates on the blossoms.
9They make up the best-selling fragrance in the U.S.
Getty Images The top perfume in the U.S. is Bath and Body Works' Japanese Cherry Blossom. Thirty million units of the mixture of cherry blossoms, crisp pears, mimosa petals, and sweet sandalwood are sold each year.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
10In Japan, this is the most iconic view of cherry blossoms.
Getty Images The image, cherry blossoms framing Mount Fuji, is a common postcard view, thanks to its lake-surrounded location.
11In the U.S., we most often associate cherry blossoms with our nation's capital.
Getty Images National landmarks surrounded by spring flowers attract visitors to Washington, D.C.'s Tidal Basin each spring.
12Neither D.C. nor Japan hold the title of "Cherry Blossom Capital of the World."
Getty Images Rather, it's Macon, Georgia, which is home to 300,000 Yoshino cherry blossom trees. While these trees obviously are not native to the South, William A. Fickling Sr., a local realtor, discovered one in his own backyard in 1949. On a business trip to Washington, D.C., he learned more about cherry blossoms and sought to bring more to his hometown.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13Cherry blossoms are said to be native to the Himalayas.
Getty Images 14 There are 200 different varieties of cherry blossom.
Getty Images In Japan, the most popular variety is "Somei Yoshino." In the U.S., mainly Yoshino hybrids line the Tidal Basin, National Mall, and Potomac waterfront.
15They aren't always pink.
Getty Images The Takesimensis variety, known for its white flowers, is actually more common than you might think in the U.S. Other blossoms change colors throughout the blooming period, such as Ukon, which go from greenish yellow to white before turning pink.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
16Each tree may only bloom for up to a week.
Getty Images While cherry blossom season usually lasts about a month, from the time the first to the last tree blooms, each individual tree may only flower for about a week. Trees usually live for 30 to 40 years.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below