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Cherry blossoms will be late this year

The cherry blossoms will be late to their own party this year. The Shofosu Japanese House and Garden says Philadelphia's blossoms are expected to peak from April 18 to 23.

The cherry blossoms will be late to their own party this year.

The Shofosu Japanese House and Garden says Philadelphia's blossoms are expected to peak from April 18 to 23.

But that peak phase comes after the annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, which starts Monday and runs through April 12.

"Changing weather conditions and temperature affect the appearance of the trees, but we expect to see our specimen weeping cherry tree in its greatest majesty at that time, along with the the hundreds of cherry trees along the Schuylkill River, behind Memorial Hall, and in the Centennial Arboretum and Horticulture Center around Shofuso," the Japanese House said in announcing the peak bloom prediction on its website.

The peak period for the pink blossoms comes slightly later than usual this year due to the especially low temperatures recorded throughout February and March.

The cherry trees are most prevalent in and around Fairmount Park and the Schuylkill River, but have also been planted in other places around the city.

The trees first arrived in the city as a 1926 gift from Japan. Additional trees were planted decades later.

Next week's festival celebrates Japanese culture beyond just the flowering trees, with events that include tea ceremonies, calligraphy demonstrations, sushi-making classes and contests, music and dance performances.

In Washington, D.C., where the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin are a huge draw for residents and tourists each year, the peak bloom is predicted for April 11 to 14.

That's also later than the average peak bloom date of April 4.