Want to make someone smile a mile wide? Nothing works better than sending them “Thinking of You” flowers. There are many great reasons to send these beautiful blooms to your friends, family and people you know. Let’s talk about 7 great reasons to think of someone special!

Thank a terrific babysitter

When you have a reliable, dependable babysitter the kids love, why not let her know that you are thinking of her to brighten her day? Taking care of children as we know is one of the busiest and hardworking jobs there is – any parent would certainly have to agree. Let your babysitter know she causes serenity in your home by giving her the Serenity Garden, a lovely mix of lilies, roses and bear grass.

Welcome a new neighbor

Why not give your new neighbors a warm welcome to the neighborhood by sending them some pretty flowers? They can grace their new home, in a place where everyone can enjoy them. Try our Green Elegance Bubble Bowl, a mix of roses, hydrangea and greens.

Congratulate a former coworker on a new job

How exciting to start a new job! Make your former coworker feel at home in her new job with something stunning to keep on her desk. Best of all, this can serve as a conversation starter to help her get to know her fellow coworkers as they compliment her flowers. Try our Radiant Beauty arrangement, filled with lilies and roses.

Thank a friend for helping out with a community volunteer project

Volunteer projects are always a bit easier when you have lots of helping hands. Be sure to thank those who lend an extra hand, and what better way is there than by sending a beautiful arrangement of flowers? Try our Splendid Beauty, filled with liatris, lilies, larkspur, snapdragons and delphinium.

Congratulate someone on losing weight/quitting smoking or giving up a bad habit

It isn’t easy to lose weight, quit smoking or give up any bad habit, as most of us know. But if you have a loved one who has dropped 40 pounds, stopped smoking or even just given up eating those potato chips, why not congratulate them on their fine accomplishment. Send then a beautiful bouquet to admire that is as lovely as they are. Try our Sunshine Daydream, filled with lilies, roses, snapdragons, monecasino, button poms and lisianthus.

Say “Hello!” to an old friend

Many of us are catching up with old friends on Facebook and other forms of social media. Getting into touch is fun and sometimes like stepping into a time machine. When you’re back in touch with a good buddy from high school or college, why not send her some beautiful blooms to make her day even more cheerful? It will be as if you are right there with her. Try our Garden Party, a mix of stargazer lilies, snapdragons, Gerbera daisies and more lovely flowers.

Cheer up your next door neighbor

When your neighbor has that cold that’s been going around, you know she could use a little cheering up. There’s nothing more frustrating than being cooped up at home sneezing and sniffling into tissues. Try our pretty Peach Glow arrangement, filled with lilies, roses and stock.

It’s springtime in Virginia and the flowers are in bloom, the birds are singing and most likely your car is covered in pollen.  The snow is gone and the ground is getting warmer.  Whether you’re a serious gardener or just someone who likes to play in the dirt, the ground is warmer in May and it’s time to plant.  Many of your vegetables should already be in the ground, but there’s still plenty of time to add some color to your yard.

While Garden Week may have passed there’s still plenty of opportunity to add vibrant color to your yard.  But what type of flowers should you choose?

When you walk into Vogue Flowers or your local nursery, it’s easy to get overwhelmed at the selection of plants.  But don’t overbuy, especially if you’re just starting out.  Choose varieties that will blend with your landscape and work well with the soil and light that you have in your yard.  With plants, sometimes it’s trial and error.  Don’t hesitate to ask your garden specialist for advice.

Here are some suggestions of flowering plants that you can plant now and enjoy all summer and into the fall.

May is a great time to plant sunflowers.  Planted in warm soil in mid to late May, sunflower seeds will germinate in four to six days. The plants will grow rapidly and will mature by late August or early September.  When they’re grown you’ll have large, cheerful daisy-like orange and yellow blooms on top of a tall, sturdy stem.  Sunflowers need full exposure to the sun.  In good growing conditions, they’ll grow to be about four or five feet tall.

Marigolds will add color to your garden and help to keep away insects and other pests that will damage vegetables and fruit.  Marigolds also prefer full exposure to the son.  They do well when planted in May, either from the seeds or from plants already started that you can buy at your nursery or local big box store.  Marigolds are also easy to care for.  Depending on the variety they’ll grow eight to thirty-six inches tall with large yellow, orange or crimson blooms.

Zinnias come in a variety of colors and sizes to add drama to your garden landscape.  These plants are native to Mexico but will grow well here when you plant them in May.  Blooms come in late June or early July.    Zinnias will grow two to three feet tall and up to a foot wide.  They need well drained soil and do best when exposed to partial shade.  Zinnias are great to grow in containers or window boxes.

You can plant cosmos in early summer for a splash of color in your landscape that will last the season.  Cosmos are versatile, low-maintenance flowers that germinate quickly in warm soil.  They are drought-tolerant and will re-seed from year to year.  Plant them in full sun and well-drained soil.  Cosmos are good for attracting birds and butterflies to your garden.

Begonias come in a rainbow of colors and have varieties that will grow in shade to full sun.  Begonias are almost foolproof, but do well with a bid of shade and some fertilizer.  There’s also no need to “dead head” begonias, they’ll do that on their own.

Geraniums are bright annuals that work well in containers like window boxes or hanging planters.  They will also flourish indoors in sunny spots.   They are one of the most reliable plants for the garden and will thrive until frost.

African daisies are well-suited for planting in May.  The come in white, pink, yellow and gold.  These do well in sunny areas of your garden or in pots in a sunny location.  Remove the dead blooms to help them continue to bloom through the summer.  Be sure to feed them to keep them healthy.

If you’re purchasing plants from your local greenhouse, give them time to acclimate to the change.  Leave them outside for a day and then leave them in their containers overnight.  Then you can safely plant them in the garden.  If you buy them from a garden center that displays plants outdoors, you can skip this step.

Having a beautiful flower garden doesn’t need to be expensive or difficult.  By thinking things through, making some wise selections and giving your plants the care they need, you can enjoy bright and colorful blooms all season long.

Sharon Townsend, owner and manager of Tiffanys Bridal

Business Location:

On Parham Road in the Ridge Shopping Center; 1517-D N. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23229

Mirror from the original Tiffanys when Tiffanys first opened in 1969, this was in the original store, and it is in our new boutique today and still used frequently by brides.

Where did the idea for ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Tiffany’s Bridal originate?

Tiffanys Bridal is actually the oldest bridal boutique in Richmond: We’ve served Richmond brides since 1969. However, my business partner Carolyn Simons and I purchased the business in late 2008, and we decided then that we would turn something old into something new. We’ve worked tirelessly to provide the old-fashioned customer service brides expect from Tiffanys, and at the same time we moved the business to a new boutique and have made many trips to the New York and Chicago bridal markets to ensure we have the best selection of the latest in bridal fashion for today’s brides. I worked at Tiffanys as a consultant for five years, and before that I spent more than 20 years as a freelance wedding planner. I was promoted to manager several months before deciding I could make Tiffanys my own; I knew the store had great potential, but it needed a fresh perspective on the bridal business to realize that potential. Tiffanys has become so much more to me since then — I think of the consultants as family and we are all committed to providing the best service possible for our brides. We’ve also received numerous awards from local magazines and theknot.com recognizing us as a must-visit boutique when shopping for bridal gowns in Richmond.

This is Sharon and Carolyn (owners of Tiffanys) with David Tutera at the Chicago Bridal Market

  What makes you unique this area?

Our goal at Tiffanys is to make the once-in-a-lifetime experience of shopping for a bridal gown special and memorable. I purchased my gown from Tiffanys more than three decades ago, and I want all brides to recall that moment with the same fondness that I do. Our professional bridal consultants know brides are searching for the most important garment they will ever wear; they listen carefully and focus on the brides’ individual style. Tiffanys is also a Richmond tradition: We’ve offered one of the largest and finest selections of designer wedding gowns to brides for generations. Therefore, it is not uncommon for a Richmond bride’s mother or other family member to have purchased her gown from Tiffanys as well, making the moment even more special — it’s a unique bond that can’t be achieved anywhere else in Richmond.

Owner Sharon with granddaughter Grace.

 What has been the greatest reward for your business in the RVA area?

The amazing feedback we get from our brides. They write us thank-you notes describing the joy they experienced on their wedding day and the way their perfect gown enhanced the happiest day of their lives. We love seeing photos of the happy couples and knowing that we contributed. Some brides remember us so fondly that we’ve even received baby announcements years later, or they will bring their children in to meet us! We also love working with and recommending other local vendors, such as Vogue Flowers, because they are great friends who are committed to making Richmond weddings special, just like us! Vogue has made many of our events and displays beautiful by providing flowers for everyone to enjoy.

It has always been a pleasure working with Sharon and the staff at Tiffanys Bridal.  We are confident you will find them to be professional and easy to work with in your quest of the perfect wedding gown.  Visit their website at: www.tiffanysbridal.com or on Facebook  where they feature “What’s in the window” pictures as well announcements for designer trunk shows.

May 12^th this year is Mother’s Day. We know you’ll want to say, “Happy Mother’s Day” to your Mom and let her know just how special she is.

Children have been saying “Happy Mother’s Day” for more than 100 years now. The very first Mother’s Day was celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother. She then started an enthusiastic campaign to have Mother’s Day made an official holiday in the U.S.A.. The holiday was made official by 1914 and soon traveled to other countries. You now can find Mother’s Day in many parts of the globe, all inspired by one woman’s love for her mother.

There are different traditions around the world on Mother’s Day. Here are a few that show how people honor their mothers:

In Australia, giving gifts on Mother’s Day began as a tradition in 1924. The chrysanthemum is traditionally given to moms on Mother’s Day. One of the reasons is because this flower is naturally in season. But it also ends with the word “mum,” which is what Australia children call their moms! Many men will wear chrysanthemums in their lapels on Mother’s Day to honor their “Mums.”

In Belgium, Mother’s Day is a day where mom is treated to a breakfast in bed. The dad will buy pastries, croissants and other gourmet treats for mom to enjoy. Some in Belgium celebrate Mother’s Day in May, but those in Antwerp celebrate in August on the 15^th.

In Canada, Mother’s Day is a holiday when moms and maternal figures are celebrated. There is a Quebec tradition where men give roses and other flowers to women.

In China, Mother’s Day has become popular. Giving flowers, especially carnations is a very favorite gift on this holiday.

As you can see, flowers are one of the most popular gifts for Mother’s Day. And what mothers wouldn’t love to receive flowers? Here are a few selections of beautiful blooms that your mom will adore!

Precious Moments

http://www.vogueflowers.com/MD90.html

This bouquet comes in a vase, and contains a mix of roses, stargazer lilies and viburnum. A stunning bouquet to let mom know how special she is to you, with all of the lovely colors of spring.

Sorbet Bouquet

http://www.vogueflowers.com/MD103.html

Choose a colorful bouquet of roses for Mother’s Day and let her enjoy a dozen roses in different shades and colors. Arranged in a rectangular glass vase. Its so pretty, you’re tempted to dip a spoon in this “sorbet” and take a bite!

Dashing Daisies

http://www.vogueflowers.com/MD124.html

What could be more lovely and charming than pretty daisies! This bouquet in a round vase is filled with yellow and white daisies. Perfect for saying “Happy Mother’s Day” to that special and sweet Mom.

Amazing Mom

http://www.vogueflowers.com/MD121.html

In a clear oval vase, a delightful mix of lilies, larkspur, stock and roses – all a wonderful way to say, “You’re an amazing Mom. Happy Mother’s Day!”

April showers do bring May flowers. But they also bring lots of May holidays! Mark your calendar now for these upcoming holidays you’ll want to give flowers to loved ones in May.

• Cinco de Mayo – May 5^th – a day of Mexican heritage and pride
• National Teachers Day – May 7^th – appreciation for teachers
• Nurses Week – May 6 to 12 – thanking nurses for all that they do
• Dia de Las Madres – May 10^th – Mother’s Day (Mexico and other countries)
• Mother’s Day – May 12th – celebrating our Mothers

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day

Spring has sprung and many know that this is one of the most popular seasons for families to move. Chances are you will know loved ones who will announce soon that they have found a new home. What could be more lovely than to send them a pretty “welcome home” bouquet as a housewarming gift?

One of the biggest challenges in moving away from family and friends is that it is easy to feel homesick and to miss everyone. Especially in those first few weeks. This is why it is a great idea to send a thoughtful warm wishes gift like flowers. While there are many gift ideas you could choose for a housewarming, few will brighten a home and cheer someone’s day quite the way flowers will.

Your loved ones can expect their bouquet of flowers to last a bit more than a week, sometimes close to two weeks with fresh water and keeping them out of direct sunlight. The gift of flowers in many ways can truly make a house a home, giving it that cozy feeling.  Your loved ones will think of you each time they look at these flowers, enjoy them or tend to them. Quite often they put them in a “showcase” location in the home, like the fireplace mantel in the living room, the foyer or in the guest bedroom.

One of the nicest things about giving flowers as a housewarming gift is that not only will your loved ones enjoy them, but they can also share them with their new friends and neighbors. As they start to meet people and welcome them into their homes, quite often these people will compliment the flowers they have received. This is an ideal time for them to mention their family and friends and to chat about their hometown. Your gift of flowers lets their new soon-to-be friends know that their friends and loved ones are still with them, welcoming them into their home, just as these new friends are doing so. It may help them to “break the ice” and start conversations that lead to close friendships in their new community.

When choosing flowers as a housewarming gift, there are a few things to consider:

Quite likely you know your friends or family members’ personal tastes and home decor style. But it may be helpful to touch base with them to find out if this has changed in any way. Your friends may have moved from a classic Georgian home to a very modern Art Deco home. You don’t have to spoil the surprise, letting them know you want to send flowers. Simply ask them for a photo of their new home or check what they are posting on their Facebook updates.

Try to send flowers that compliment their new home. This will please them in many ways, letting them feel welcome in their new home. It also in some ways will make them feel as if you are there right there with them too! Ask your florist for advice – and show them pictures if you can – if you want to select a modern, contemporary or classic bouquet ideal for their new home.

Include their favorite flowers or choose a plant they enjoy the most. This touch of home will brighten their day. If they used to have beautiful roses growing in their garden, send them a bouquet with roses in it. Or if their home was graced with indoor plants, select an indoor plant so they can continue this tradition in their new home.

Say “Welcome Home” with the perfect housewarming gift!

When did you fall in love with photography?

How did you fall in love with photography, how did you find it, or rather how did it find you? For me it only took one introductory class in college at VCU’s photography department to get me hooked. It wasn’t required, but one of the elective options that we had to choose from when I was going to college for what I thought would be fine art, so I signed up. Having wanted to try photography since freshman year in high school, this was my chance. I was allowed to take one other photography class before graduating and was forced to learn the rest in “the field” but I think the seed was planted in 2004. Back then I needed a film camera so I grabbed the Canon AE-1 my father got me when I was in high school, and never bothered to learn how to use, and began snapping away. Most of the shots were not very good, especially by my standards today, but when I picked up that camera my path became a little clearer. It was an inexplicable draw that I felt, a need to shoot.

Do most of your clients use you for engagement pictures as well as the wedding event?

Yes engagement photos are included in each of our collections because it is such a critical part of the process for us. It is the time where we really get to know the couple and their personality. We get to see how they act together, how they are in front of the camera, and they get to see how I work. We also go over some of the tricks that we use so that when it comes to the wedding day they are very much at ease. There is a relationship of trust that is built during the engagement session, I find that whenever a client opts not to have the engagement session the wedding is much more difficult to cover because you’re essentially photographing strangers. I would recommend that whoever you choose for your wedding photography you also purchase or add on an engagement session. 

What are some of the biggest decisions a couple must make in choosing a wedding photographer?

The biggest decision a couple has to make is weather the style of the photographer fits with what they want, once a  photographer’s style is established he won’t be able to change it. It’s like asking someone to see the world differently. The second thing is weather or not they click with the photographer, if you two aren’t on the same page or if your personalities don’t mesh the photos will suffer.

How far in advance should a couple contact you before their wedding?

We’re finding that our clients are contacting us between 12-14 months in advance for their weddings and that the couples who wait between 9-10 months are finding that we are already booked for their dates. My suggestion is if it means a lot to you make sure that you look early.

What has been the greatest reward for your business in the RVA area?

I would say the people, not only are the clients amazing but everyone involved in the industry as well. All of the vendors here are a close tight knit group that love to take care of each other.

David Abel is an incredibly talented photographer who is able to capture the pure love of the couples he photographs.  We love working with David and highly recommend him for your engagement and wedding photos.  Go out and visit David Abel Photography on his website or visit him on Facebook.  You can find David’s blog here and we are confident you will find it a joy to read and keep up with the creative life of a gifted photographer.

If you have a Facebook account and can click a like button then you can enter our Mother’s Day Contest to win flowers for your Mom. Enter the contest by clicking here.

In your office there is probably an administrative professional who helps make your days run just a bit smoother. Don’t forget that Administrative Professionals Week is coming up soon. This week to say Thank You to Administrative Assistants, Secretaries, Executive Assistants and other Administrative professionals this year runs from April 21st to April 27th. Administrative Professionals Day during the week is Wednesday, April 24th.

The Department of Labor states there are more than 4.1 million administrative assistants and secretaries hard at work in the United States. There are also 8.9 million others in administrative supportive roles. For anyone who has been fortunate enough to have a top notch administrative professional, it can be hard to imagine their office running smoothly without them!

The first time this holiday was held was in 1952 from June 1st to June 7th. The holiday was proclaimed by the United States Secretary of Commerce Charles Sawyer and was originally called “National Secretaries Week.” The 4th of June was then chosen as National Secretaries Day. The holiday was inspired by Rachel Smith, then president of the National Secretaries Association (today this organization is called IAAP – the International Association of Administrative Professionals) and also by C. King Woodbridge, the president of Dictaphone Corporation. Both professionals were on a council which focused on the shortage of skilled office workers. With account executives at Young & Rubicam, an advertising agency, together they created the now popular holiday Administrative Professionals Holiday and Administrative Professionals Day.

In 1955 the holiday was moved from June to April. Then in 1981 the holiday was changed to Professional Secretaries Week. In 2000 it was changed once more to Administrative Professionals Week. Today this holiday is considered one of the largest workplace holidays, other than employee birthdays or other office celebrations.

Now is the perfect time to thank your administrative professional for a job well done. While your administrative professional may take care of many tasks for you, buying their flowers or a plant is something that you should do! Below are a few helpful tips to make this easier for you and your office.

The best gift you can give is one that your administrative professional will truly appreciate. Choose a gift basket if they like gourmet food, fruit or sweets. If you notice they keep plants at their desk, consider giving them a plant instead of a traditional flower arrangement. Or if you know they have a favorite flower, like tulips or lilies, then try to have these in the flower arrangement.

Remember this Thank You should come from their boss and supervisor but also those who work with them. Some offices may want to have one arrangement come from the boss and the supervisor and then another arrangement come from their fellow coworkers. Another option is to do one arrangement but to have it come from everyone.

Don’t neglect the opportunity to say Thank You. Everyone appreciates knowing their hard work and efforts are noticed. Let your administrative professional know they have done a good job and that you are glad they are part of your team. You’ll have room on the card to say Thank You and to add a note of Thanks.

We know your administrative professional does many things for you. Take the time now to let them know they make a difference in your office and in your department. Add Administrative Professionals Week and Day to your calendar so you can order flowers or a gift basket for them!

April showers do bring May flowers, but they also bring lots of holidays! Get ready for these upcoming May holidays to give flowers to loved ones:

• Cinco de Mayo – May 5th – a day of Mexican heritage and pride
• National Teachers Day – May 7th – appreciation for teachers
• Nurses Week – May 6 to 12 – thanking nurses for all that they do
• Dia de Las Madres – May 10th – Mother’s Day (Mexico and other countries)
• Mother’s Day – May 12th – celebrating our Mothers

Sources

While happy couples get married year-round, June and the summer season are considered the most popular times to say “I do.” Soon-to-be brides planning their weddings often dream about that beautiful bridal bouquet. But how do you choose the best one?

Rose Bridesmaid Bouquet

The bridal bouquet has been around for a very long time. Many brides before you have walked down the aisle with a beautiful bridal bouquet. This originates from England, where it was believed that brides brought good luck to other people. Wedding guests would actually tear parts of the bride’s clothing and her flowers – in an attempt to “catch” some of this good luck for themselves! So with the hope of making an escape, the bride would toss her bouquet into the wedding guests, leaving some of her good luck behind. Many of us also know of the popular saying that the single woman who catches the bride’s bouquet will be the one who will get married next – thus receiving this good luck!

Flower Bracelet

There are four popular styles of bridal bouquets that are most often seen – the cascade, nosegay, arm sheaf and flower bracelet. The cascade is the largest, with flowers that flow down from the bride’s hands. This often uses flowers with large petals like calla lilies or orchids. The arm sheaf is gently held in the inside of the bride’s arm. This typically uses long-stemmed flowers like long-stemmed roses or orchids. This bouquet style is very traditional and has been around for more than 100 years. Nosegays are small and round and include greens as well as flowers. Some have ribbons which wrap around the stems. The nosegay can be a formal style or also casual. The flower bracelet is the smallest of the bouquet styles. It is worn on an elastic wristband and has a small number of flowers.

White Cascade Wedding Bouquet

There are a few things to keep in mind as you choose the best beautiful bouquet.

#1. The style and theme of your wedding ceremony. A black tie wedding held on a Saturday evening will probably call for a different bouquet style than a small, casual at-home wedding held on a Saturday afternoon. Both weddings are beautiful, filled with love and sentiment.

#2. Your wedding dress, veil and accessories. It may be helpful to bring a photo of your wedding dress if you can to your florist to help choose that perfect bouquet. This is especially helpful if you find yourself trying to decide between two bouquets and aren’t sure which one is the best.

#3. Remember the saying “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Most brides love this saying and try to incorporate it into their special day. Your bridal bouquet is the perfect time to be sentimental and remember loved ones. If your grandmother’s bridal bouquet had white roses and she had a very happy marriage, you may want this to be your “something old” and to incorporate it into your bridal bouquet.

#4. Don’t forget one to toss and one to keep. Many brides today know they’ll need to toss their bouquet. But lots of brides really want to keep their bouquet! Your florist can create a bouquet for you to toss for wedding guests and also one for you to keep, that you can save to remember your special day.

Please visit our Bridal Bouquets page to see all of our creative flower options at Vogue Flowers, your Richmond VA florist for brides-to-be.

Sources: Fun Trivia, How Stuff Works

While visiting Washington D.C. is not technically a Richmond event, it is certainly an easy drive to see the Cherry Blossoms. Take some time this spring (and maybe order some spring flowers) and drive up to our nation’s capital and see what you are missing.

Each spring, residents of Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area await the arrival of the Cherry Blossoms, hoping that a harsh or late winter won’t destroy the pink and white spectacle surrounding the nation’s monuments.

The original plantings of the cherry trees were a gift of friendship from the People of Japan to the People of the United States.  The Japanese consider the “Sakura” or the flowering cherry tree to be an exalted flowering plant.  The cherry blossom is a symbol of Japanese culture through the ages.

But the trees didn’t just arrive in Washington.  Mrs. Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore, who would become the first female board member of the National Geographic Society, first had the idea of planting cherry trees along the reclaimed Potomac waterfront after her visit to Japan in 1885.  Mrs. Scidmore brought her idea to the U.S. Army Superintendent of the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds and to each new superintendent for twenty-four years with no success.

In 1906, plant explorer and U.S. Department of Agriculture official Dr. David Fairchild brought seventy-five flowering cherry trees and twenty-five single-flowered weeping types from the Yokohama Nursery Company in Japan.  He planted these on his own property in Chevy Chase, Maryland.  The following year he began promoting the trees as ideal to be planted along avenues in the Washington area.  On Arbor Day in 1908 Dr. Fairchild gave cherry saplings to each school in the District of Columbia.

Mrs. Scidmore had not given up on her dream and in 1909 attempted raising money to purchase the trees to donate them to the city.  She wrote First Lady Helen Taft who had lived in Japan and was familiar with the cherry trees.  Mrs. Taft wrote back the following letter:

The White House, Washington

April 7, 1909

Thank you very much for your suggestion about the cherry trees. I have taken the matter up and am promised the trees, but I thought perhaps it would be best to make an avenue of them, extending down to the turn in the road, as the other part is still too rough to do any planting. Of course, they could not reflect in the water, but the effect would be very lovely of the long avenue. Let me know what you think about this
Sincerely yours,

Helen H. Taft

Just after Mrs. Taft wrote to Mrs. Scidmore, Jokichi Takamine, the Japanese chemist who discovered adrenaline, was in Washington and asked Mrs. Taft if the U.S. would accept a gift of 2,000 cherry trees. The Japanese consul in New York suggested the cherry trees be given in the name of the City of Tokyo and the donation was confirmed by the Japanese Embassy in August of that year.  The trees arrived in Washington in January of 1910.  Unfortunately, it was discovered that the trees were infected with insects and nematodes.  President William Howard Taft gave his consent to burn the trees.

The Mayor of Tokyo suggested that a second donation be made and in 1912, 3,020 cherry trees were shipped from Yokohama.

In March, First Lady Helen Taft and the Viscountess Chinda, the wife of the Japanese Ambassador, planted two Yoshino cherry trees on the northern bank of the Tidal Basin.  Mrs. Taft presented Viscountess Chinda with a bouquet of American Beauty roses and from this gesture the National Cherry Blossom Festival grew.  The two original trees still stand several hundred yards west of the John Paul Jones Memorial.  The first official “Cherry Blossom Festival” was hosted in 1935.

Four trees were cut down on December 11, 1941 in what was suspected as retaliation for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  For the duration of the World War the trees were referred to as “Oriental” flowering cherry trees.  The festival was suspended during the war and resumed in 1947.

In 1965, the Japanese Government made another gift of 3,800 Yoshino trees to Lady Bird Johnson, the wife of President Lyndon Johnson, who was committed to the beautification of Washington.  Many of these were planted on the grounds of the Washington Monument.

The blooming date for the cherry trees varies each year.  The trees have reached peak bloom as early as March 15 in 1990 and as late as April 18 in 1958.  Depending on the weather, the bloom can last up to two weeks.

SOURCES

National Park Service – http://www.nps.gov/cherry/cherry-blossom-history.htm

Wikipedia -  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cherry_Blossom_Festival

About.com – http://dc.about.com/od/hoildaysseasonalevents/a/FAQsCherryTrees.htm