Spring Color Displays in Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland You Won't Want To Miss

It’s almost wow season.

After the gray, bleak days of winter, let’s face it — spring flowers make everything better.

Shelley Russell, landscape designer for Level Green Landscaping, shares a few of her favorite spots for soaking up spring’s colorful flower displays, from seas of perky tulips to explosions of fluffy cherry blossoms.

Peak season: March through May.

It won’t be long now.

Tidal Basin

If you love cherry blossoms, don’t miss the Tidal Basin, part of West Potomac Park in Washington, DC., Russell says. This place is famous, home of Washington's renowned Cherry Blossom Festival.

“You can get a unique view by renting a paddle boat and  taking it out on the water,” Russell says. “Also, be sure to check out the flower patch right next to the Tidal Basin.”

Called “The Floral Library,” it’s planted by the National Park Service. Ooh and aah over several varieties of tulips, daffodils and other spring blooms.

See something you love? All the flowers are labeled.

The tulips typically bloom a little later than the famous cherry blossoms, but sometimes they bloom at the same time.

You might get lucky.

Dumbarton Oaks

Put this historic estate in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington D.C. on your must-visit list, Russell says.

“I love to go there in spring, when the cherry trees are blooming,” she says. “The wisteria is also amazing.”

Her spring fling list goes on: weeping cherry, magnolia, pear, crabapples, dogwood, snowbells.

And this is professionally designed beauty — created by famous gardener and landscape architect Beatrix Farrand.

A sure thing for spring color in Washington DC, hit this beauty in rose season, too, Russell suggests. About 900 roses flourish here, featuring pinks, reds, and whites in the southern end to oranges and yellows in the northern part of the garden.

There are lots of inviting nooks, terraces and bloom-strewn paths to explore.

Perfect for a spring stroll.

US National Arboretum

“Gorgeous magnolia, azaleas — thousands of them! —dogwoods, and much, much more,” Russell says.

Visitors come to the National Arboretum from all over to marvel at one of Washington’s premier spring attractions: thousands of azaleas covering the flanks of Mount Hamilton in a blaze of color.

Don’t miss the Magnolia Collection in early spring, she says, when thousands of pink, white and purple blossoms explode.

“It’s stunning when the magnolia trees are blooming.”

Brookside Gardens

Brookside Gardens is Montgomery County’s award-winning 50-acre public display garden at Wheaton Regional Park.

“It’s an awesome place,” Russell says. For spring color in Maryland, this is the spot.

Lose yourself in colorful displays of spring bulbs — stunning drifts of tulips, daffodils, grape hyacinths and crocus.

There’s one whole garden just for azaleas.

Flowering trees and shrubs are springtime crowd-pleasers, but don’t miss the Aquatic Garden, Butterfly Garden, Children’s Garden, Rose Garden and the Woodland Walk.

Bonus: it’s available for garden weddings.

Franciscan Monastery

Full disclosure: Level Green Landscaping maintains this amazing property. All the more reason for Russell to recommend it, she says.

“I often think, ‘More people need to know about this place,’” she says. “It’s so peaceful and has lovely winding paths around the property.”

There’s lots to see here. The Franciscans have close to 50 acres of property that includes a monastery, public gardens, shrines and chapels, central courtyard, small forest and meadow that includes a hermitage and more than 75 beehives, greenhouse, and a private park with picnic tables.

Springtime scenery includes fragrant camellia, azalea, and rhododendron.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

This is where spring wakes up. Think narcissus, crocus, cherry trees, iris and magnolias.

Head to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for spring color in Virginia you won’t want to miss. Pretty pink cyclamen hidden in shady wooded areas. Delicate cherry blossoms drifting in the breeze.

Take a romantic stroll on an early spring day along the Cherry Tree Walk around Sydnor Lake. The lake is surrounded by flowering cherry trees bursting with blossoms. You’ll also see cheerful daffodils and flowering shrubs.

The end of March brings A Million Blooms, the Garden’s celebration of spring, featuring daffodils, tulips, peonies, roses and more, as well as plenty of fun events.

National Cathedral

“Not only is the architecture of the cathedral stunningly beautiful, did you know they have a garden?” Russell says.

The Bishop’s Garden, located on the south side of the Cathedral, includes plants found in medieval gardens, plants native to the area, and plants referenced by the Bible.

Pack a picnic, she says, smell the flowers and herbs, listen to the fountains, and gaze at koi fish swimming in the pond.

Add Your Own Spring Color With Level Green

Russell wouldn’t steer you wrong. Go soak up her spring splendor spots — then let her transform your own property.

She loves this stuff. Make your property pop with drifts of seasonal tulips and daffodils. Add a spectacular flowering tree, or five.

If you’re not already a Level Green Landscaping client, we’d love to add you to our growing list of happy customers.

Our focus is on commercial properties like offices, mixed-use sites, HOAs, municipalities and institutions in Maryland, Washington DC and parts of Virginia. Contact us at 202-544-0968. You can also request a free consultation online to meet with us one-on-one.

We’d love to hear from you.