The other day I was walking through the Union Square Green Market when I spotted a vendor selling cherry blossom branches. This excited me because despite all the snow we have gotten in New York, spring must be on its way. I also love the look of blooming branches used as floral arrangements.
Sakura, the cherry blossom tree, is indigenous to Japan. In Japanese culture the cherry blossom stands for good fortune, love and affection, and spring. Sakuras made their way to the US when Japan gave 3,020 trees to the US as a gift in 1912. Now there are cherry blossom festivals all over the US including Washington, DC and even here in Brooklyn at the Botanical Garden.
Anyway, enough history, here are some photos to get you inspired
How to Care for Branches (from Sunset.com)
Clip branches when the flower buds grow fat or when the first bud opens. Make an inch-deep slit in each stem end.
Fill your container with lukewarm water and add floral preservative. Display out of direct sunlight; change water when it gets murky, and recut and reslit stem ends.
Thanks for this! I saw some cherry blossom branches in a neighbor’s window and had a serious case of covetousness! We have so many cherry blossom trees in our neighborhood and I’ve been dying to bring a little of the beauty inside.