Can’t go to DC for the festival? Where to see cherry blossoms in Mississippi, the South

• The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. celebrates the gift of Yoshino Cherry trees from the mayor of Tokyo in 1912.
• While cherry trees can grow in Mississippi, they thrive best in the northern part of the state.
• The Northeast Mississippi Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in Tupelo, Mississippi, and features Japanese culture, music, and martial arts demonstrations.
• Those unable to travel to see the cherry blossoms in person can view them remotely through a live bloom camera provided by EarthCam.

Peak cherry blossom season in the U.S. is almost here, and thousands of people will flock to Washington, D.C. for the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

If you can’t make the trip but still want to see these iconic pink and white spring blooms, there are places in Mississippi and across the South where you can spot them.

Did you know Mississippi has its own cherry blossom festival? Here’s what you need to know to go and where you, your family, can see the iconic flowers.

Why does Washington, D.C. have so many cherry trees?

The Yoshino Cherry trees were a gift from the mayor of Tokyo in 1912. The gift celebrates the friendship between the Japanese and American people.

They’re planted along the National Mall.

Can cherry trees grow in Mississippi?

Yes. According the Mississippi State University Extension Service, they’ll only grow in the northern part of the state. And its only the tarts varieties.

Want to skip the travel and have cherry blossoms at home? They recommend the Montmorency. It’s a red tart cherry that’s good for pies and canning.

Wild black cherry is native to Mississippi. Its blooms are white, and it often blooms from April to May.

Tupelo is has cherry blossoms. Keep an eye out for the pink and white flowers across the northern parts of the state.

Where is the cherry blossom festival in Mississippi?

The Northeast Mississippi Cherry Blossom Festival will be 2-5 p.m. Saturday, March 29 in Tupelo. The event at Ballard Park, 2629 W. Main St., will feature Japanese fashion, origami, rice pounding, brush writing.

There will also be live music and martial arts demonstrations.

Where else can I see cherry blossoms in the South?

Afar magazine lists 15 places to see cherry blossoms in the U.S., several of which are in the South:

• Carolyn Crayton Park in Macon, Georgia.
• Nashville Public Square Park in Nashville, Tennessee.
• Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden in Dallas, Texas.

When is the National Cherry Blossom Festival in 2025?

The National Cherry Blossom Festival will be March 20 through April 14. The annual event is held mainly around the Tidal Basin.

Multiple events are scheduled for the festival, including a parade, concerts and fireworks.

When is the peak bloom?

Peak bloom is defined as when 70% of the flowers will be open. It depends on weather but usually falls in the last week of March or the first week of April for the D.C. area. This year, the National Park Service expects it to be March 28-31.

How long does peak bloom last?

It can last a few days with good weather.

Wind and rain can cut it short, and a freeze could keep blooms from developing.

Live bloom camera in D.C.

If you can’t travel to see the cherry blossoms, you can view them live on the bloom camera. EarthCam gives a view of the National Mall Tidal Basin from the roof of the hotel Salamander Washington D.C.

See the short cherry blossom season

CONTRIBUTING Saman Shafiq

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.