The colorful watercolor celebrates the annual cherry blossom season in Washington, D.C. It was First Lady Helen Herron Taft's idea to plant the cherry trees along the Tidal Basin and her wish was realized in 1912 when 3,000 tress were given to the United States by Japan. Now more than 100 years old, the spectacular blossoms of the mature cherry trees are the focus of an annual springtime festival and parade.