Cherry Blossom 2013 Countdown: Tips for Enjoying the Annual Event In and Around Northern Virginia

There may be a Winter Weather Advisory Monday, but spring and the The National Cherry Blossom Festival are right around the corner.

Set to begin Wednesday, March 20, the first day of spring, and continue through April 14, visitors and residents alike will have plenty of cherry blossom festival-related activities, exhibits and ceremonies to choose from in DC and in Northern Virginia.

An event coming up this weekend in Alexandria's Green Spring Gardens is a seminar on how to design a Japanese garden. Set for Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., the workshop will delve into Japanese garden design, an art form thousands of years in the making.

Stone, gravel, water, paths and plants all hold significance in the design. Whether you are looking to make your own Japanese style garden or simply want to learn to appreciate the elemental meanings, horticulturalist Sandy Flowers will teach you the essentials in creating a Japanese style garden.

Fee is $20 per person. Register online at www.greenspring.org (code: 290 285 7201) or call 703-642-5173.

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