Japan gifted cherry blossoms to the US in 1912; the US reciprocated by sending flowering dogwood.

Found some flowering dogwood (North Carolina's state flower) in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden yesterday, then found out that we had sent some to Japan in return for the cherry blossoms. These are unfortunately not the originals (see the rather sad Reddit pieces) but in 2012, we renewed our flower friendship pact with Japan.