Cherry Blossoms are Their Own Season in DC

Cherry Blossoms are Their Own Season in DC

Bursting and blooming with sugary sweet, sororal symbolism in our nation’s capital!

Flower Crush – where we tell you about flowers we love and show you examples of how we’ve used them! What better flower to feature than one who, by all accounts, is a harbinger of new beginnings? Cherry blossom – the flower whose very appearance serves as an epitaph to winter. Goodbye to wind-chapped faces, stuffy, closed-up apartments, and exorbitant heating bills!

Most know of the long-standing association between cherry blossoms and the kick-off of spring in DC, but for a city so bursting with symbolism, a surprising few know the story behind it!  The story goes that in 1912, Japan sent 3,020 cherry trees to the United States as symbolic offering of friendship. First Lady Helen Taft and Viscountess Iwa Chinda, the wife of the Japanese Ambassador, chose the northern bank of the Tidal Basin to plant the first two trees. These two trees still stand today near the statue of John Paul Jones 17th Street’s south end. Of course, the two women didn’t plant the rest of the trees! The remaining 3,018 were planted by workers around the Tidal Basin and East Potomac Park.

But the sweet symbolism isn’t the only reason we love them! Very few flower choices feature both soft edges AND the jutting structure of flowering branches. As floral designers, we adore the juxtaposition of soft, demure pastels with their sheer height and commanding presence. There’s just something that screams wedding about that, don’t you think?

Cherry blossom facts:

Season – Spring.  Reliably available from the end of March through April.  On rare occasions, we see them available in May depending on the weather.

Colors – Colors can vary.  A crisp, clean, fluffy white or blush to a rich, vibrant raspberry pink.

When to Use – When you want to make a statement!  A little goes a long way with these lofty, but delicate branches. Choose them for your place card or altar arrangements. Use them in tall centerpieces for the ultimate wow factor. Bonus points:  Use cherry blossom to adorn your wedding arch, canopy or chuppah!

Other fun facts – Many people don’t realize that it can be a very involved process getting cherry blossom branches to bloom. Branches are cut when in bud, and can take as long as three weeks to force into flower. The blossoms are very delicate, and so if they were cut when in bloom, the flowers would shatter.

For more cherry blossom inspiration, check out our Pinterest account!

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No, ma’am. That’s not how any of this works… 

💐✨ Wedding flower myths? We’ve heard them all. ✨

“You can just reuse the _____ flowers.”
“Faux flowers look the same.”
“Greenery is cheap, right?”

We get it. Planning a wedding comes with a lot of well-meaning advice. But when it comes to flowers, there’s a big difference between a cost-saving hack and a costly mistake.

At Petal’s Edge, we design with intention, experience, and artistry. We’re not here to upsell. We’re here to guide you through what works, what doesn’t, and what’s actually worth it. Because your flowers should feel just as thoughtful as the rest of your wedding. 🌿💐
Forget “Something Borrowed’. Seriously - have you ever seen such a stunning and tasteful incorporation of blue tones in a wedding? We brought a playful twist on “Something Blue’ into Wendy & Erik’s wedding day at @willard_intercontinentaldc With touches of blue Chinoiserie vases, not to mention other blue touches like ribbons and bridesmaid dresses, the blush and ivory floral palette of all blended perfectly together! Cheers to a beautiful day as magnificent as the happy couple!

📍 @willard_intercontinentaldc 
📷 @em_blumberg 
💐 @petalsedgedc 

#thewillardwedding #willardwedding #willardintercontinental #ballroomweddingflowers #tallweddingcenterpiece #blushwedding #luxuryfloraldesigner #luxurywedding #stylemeprettyweddings#washingtondcwedding
#washingtondcflorist #dceventflorist
#washingtondcweddingvenue #washingtonianweddings
This moment. This backdrop. Nicole & Cina’s wedding ceremony at the Reagan International Trade Building was a masterclass in modern romance. White petals lined the aisle while a copper-painted square arch framed our couple in soft waves of white + green blooms. The final touch? The bride + her bridesmaids perfectly poised beneath the arch—one of those “stop scrolling” moments we’ll never tire of. Timeless, effortless, unforgettable.

📍 @reaganitcdc 
📷 @carlelixirstudio 
💐 @petalsedgedc
📋 @chicweddingevents 

#ceremonyarch #ceremonyflowers #weddingsRRBITC #washingtondcwedding #washingtondcflorist #alexandriaflorist #weddingflorist #dcwedding #washingtondcweddingflorist #dcweddingflorist #virginiaweddingflorist #stylemeprettyweddings #washingtonianweddings
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