Though some of us know this herb for its calming properties, this bloom has a more active meaning: readiness. If you've got valerian in your wildflower bouquet, you're prepared for anything.

Peak bloom means that 70% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms are open. As good a fortune teller for the changing seasons, the blooms are also an indicator of something else — a changing climate ...

That milestone means the trees are at stage 5 of 6. The park service projected the trees could reach peak bloom dates as early as Friday. The cherry blossoms have reached stage 5 of their bloom ...