The capital city is world-renowned for its flowering cherry trees, first set out around the Tidal Basin 110 years ago. But Washington’s springtime abundance extends far beyond the glory of its most famous blossoms, both geographically and in its diversity of species.

Join naturalist and author Melanie Choukas-Bradley as a new season dawns in the Washington region for an exploration of the city’s historic and beautiful springtime canopy. She shares the story of the flowering cherries and dazzling images of the blooms of a dozen types of magnolias, redbuds, horse-chestnuts, buckeyes, dogwoods, tulip trees, and other species.

Her virtual tour takes in the grounds of the White House, Capitol, Smithsonian museums, U.S. Botanic Garden, National Arboretum, Dumbarton Oaks, Rock Creek Park, Mount Vernon, Theodore Roosevelt Island, and other storied landscapes, parks, and gardens.

The area’s natural beauty has captivated presidents as well as visitors and residents: Learn about George Washington’s fascination with the two of the region’s native flowering species and hear Theodore Roosevelt’s words inspired by the springtime splendors of Rock Creek Park. 

Choukas-Bradley is the  author of seven regional nature books including City of Trees, A Year in Rock Creek Park, and Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island.

Book Sale Information

• Purchase your copy of City of Trees by Melanie Choukas-Bradley here.
• Purchase your copy of A Year in Rock Creek Park by Melanie Choukas-Bradley here.
• Purchase your copy of Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island by Melanie Choukas-Bradley here.
• SPECIAL NOTE: Politics and Prose is offering a 10% discount to Smithsonian Associates ticket-holders. To claim your discount, enter the code SPECIAL10 (no space between letters and numbers) in the “Coupon discount” section on Politics and Prose's check-out page.

Patron Information

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