Cherry Blossoms

A magical springtime experience that draws visitors from near and far.

The cherry blossoms in the Cherry Allée typically bloom in March. Please check back in February for bloom predictions and updates–map cherry trees.

Cherry blossom viewing is an annual tradition in many cultures. In Japan, this practice is known as hanami (花見,“flower viewing”) and usually involves picnics and other outdoor gatherings with friends and family during cherry blossom season to celebrate their ephemeral beauty and enjoy the present moment.

For many people, photography is an important way to commemorate this special time. Please visit our photography page to learn more about taking photos in the Gardens.

We also encourage visitors to be considerate of the plants and wildlife that call Duke Gardens home by following all Gardens policies. To enjoy the cherry trees, we must also care for the cherry trees.  During your visit, please help us by:

• Removing all belongings when leaving the Gardens and placing trash in the appropriate receptacles.
• Remaining on paths and walkways instead of stepping in garden beds, which can damage trees and plants directly or through soil compaction.
• Leaving plants alone for all to enjoy—please do not pick or cut any part of a plant.

Ornamental cherries belong to the genus Prunus, an incredibly diverse group represented by many different plants throughout Duke Gardens. Many Prunus species closely resemble cherries and may bloom at or around the same time depending on the weather.  Here is a simple field guide to help you distinguish ornamental cherries from any of their close relatives you might observe during your visit.

Join us on a virtual guided tour of cherry blossoms at Duke Gardens to learn more about these incredible trees and expand your bloom knowledge.

Take a photo of one of our beautiful “Cherry Check-in” trees for a chance to win a Duke Gardens family-level membership and goodie bag. Click to learn more!