Exploring Varieties of Ornamental Cherry Trees

Ornamental cherry trees come in a wide range of varieties, each with its own unique characteristics.

Some popular varieties include the Kwanzan cherry, which produces vibrant pink flowers in the spring, and the Shirofugen cherry, which boasts large, showy white blooms.

The Yoshino cherry is another well-known variety, known for its stunning pale pink flowers that bloom in late March.

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If you're looking for ornamental cherry trees that bloom early, you're in luck. Some varieties start blooming as early as late February to mid March.

One such variety is the Kanzakura, which blooms in Tokyo during this time. It's a rare sight to see, but it's definitely a treat for visitors to city parks.

The Kawazuzakura is another early bloomer, named after the town on the Izu Peninsula where it was first grown. It's a popular sight during the cherry blossom festival in Kawazu, which takes place in late February and early March.

The Kanhizakura is a dark pink, bell-shaped flower native to Taiwan and Okinawa, where it blooms as early as January and February. In Tokyo, it typically blooms in mid March.

Here are some early flowering cherry tree varieties:

Ornamental cherry trees display a wide range of blossom colors, including light pink, white, dark pink, yellow, and even green.

Some cherry trees' blossoms can change color over time, so what you see when they first bloom might not be the same a few days later.

Cherry trees come in various shapes and forms, such as triangular, columnar, V-shape, weeping, and flat-topped.

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Cherry trees display various growing habits and come in different shapes and forms.

Some cherry trees have a triangular shape, while others are columnar or even weeping. Weeping cherry trees are called shidarezakura.

Cherry trees can also grow in a V-shape or a flat-topped shape.

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Most cherry tree varieties carry blossoms in the spring, but the exact timing varies depending on the type. Some early flowering cherry tree varieties, like the Kanzakura, can bloom as early as late February to mid March in Tokyo.

The Kawazuzakura, another early bloomer, typically blooms in mid March, while the Kanhizakura, native to Taiwan and Okinawa, blooms in mid to late March in Tokyo's parks.

Late flowering cherry tree varieties, on the other hand, tend to bloom later in the season. The Ichiyo and Ukon, for example, both bloom in mid April, with their blossoms featuring 20 and 10-20 petals, respectively. The Kanzan and Fugenzo, which are also late bloomers, typically bloom in mid to late April, with their blossoms consisting of 30-50 and 30-40 petals, respectively.

The Shogetsu, another late blooming variety, has relatively large, white blossoms with 20-30 petals, which bloom in mid to late April. The Kikuzakura, one of the latest blooming trees, has as many as 100 petals per blossom and blooms in late April to early May.

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The Yoshino Cherry is one of the most commonly found species throughout Washington D.C., with ivory-white to pale yellow blossoms that can thrive in a variety of soil conditions.

This tree is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8 and can grow up to 20 to 30 feet tall with a spread of 10 to 20 feet.

Prunus 'Pink Shell' is a small, spreading ornamental cherry with delicate, cup-shaped pink flowers and pale green leaves that turn orange in autumn.

It's an ideal tree for a lawn or front garden and can grow up to 8 meters tall with a spread of 8 meters.

Prunus 'Pink Perfection' has rose-pink, very double flowers that last longer than most, beginning in early May, and can grow up to 5 meters tall.

Its inner tier of petals is almost white, making it a standout among other pink frilly cherries.

Here's a list of popular varieties mentioned in this article:

These trees are all great options for adding some beauty and life to your garden, and they're relatively easy to care for.

There are over 430 species within the Prunus genus, but only a few of these are flowering cherry trees. These trees can be a bit finicky and not all grow well in the United States.

Some flowering cherry tree varieties, like Prunus incisa 'Kojo-no-mai', are compact and ideal for small gardens or pots. They can grow up to 8m tall and 6m wide, making them a great option for smaller spaces.

Prunus incisa 'Kojo-no-mai' has showy white flowers blushed with pink and excellent red and orange autumn colour. It has also been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Here are some popular flowering cherry tree varieties:

These varieties have different growth habits and characteristics, such as Prunus cerasus 'Morello', which is self-fertile and bears large crops of sour cherries.

Incisa 'Kojo-no-mai' is a compact ornamental cherry that reaches up to 2m in height, making it ideal for small gardens. It can also be grown in a pot.

Its showy white flowers, blushed with pink, burst from attractive twisted branches. The tree has excellent red and orange autumn color.

Incisa 'Kojo-no-mai' has the RHS Award of Garden Merit, a testament to its quality and performance. It's a great choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance tree with beautiful flowers and foliage.

This tree is relatively small, but it's worth noting that another cultivar, Prunus incisa 'Fujimae', can grow up to 3m.

The Morello cherry is a fantastic choice for any garden, and it's not just because of its beautiful white blossoms in the spring. It's self-fertile, which means you don't need another cherry tree nearby for pollination.

One of the best things about the Morello cherry is that it's highly productive, bearing large crops of delicious fruits that are mainly used in cooking. It's a great option for those who want to grow their own cherries without taking up too much space.

If you're short on space, you can even grow Morello cherries on smaller rootstocks in pots or in the ground, or fan-train them against a wall to save even more space. They can thrive in a north-facing site, making them a great choice for gardens with limited sunlight.

The Morello cherry is a compact tree, growing to a maximum height of 4m x 4m, with a rounded or fan shape. This makes it perfect for small gardens or for growing in containers.

Here are some places where you can buy Prunus cerasus 'Morello':

To get the most out of your ornamental cherry tree, it's essential to provide it with the right conditions. Plant it in a sheltered, sunny spot to ensure it gets enough light.

Keep the soil moist after planting, especially during the first year. Mulching with well-rotted manure in spring can help retain moisture.

If you need to prune your cherry blossom tree, do it in spring or summer to avoid silver leaf disease or canker.

Additional reading: Cherry Blossom Trees in Spring

To care for your cherry blossom tree, keep the soil moist after planting for at least the first year. This will help the tree establish a strong root system.

Mulching with organic matter like well-rotted manure in the spring is a great way to retain moisture and keep the soil healthy. I've seen this method work wonders for my own cherry blossom tree.

While cherry blossom trees don't require routine pruning, it's a good idea to tidy up any crossing or dead branches in the spring or summer. This will prevent any potential damage from diseases like silver leaf disease or canker.

Plant your cherry blossom tree in a sheltered spot to protect it from harsh winds. This will help the tree thrive and bloom beautifully.

A sunny location is also essential for a cherry blossom tree to grow well. It needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce plenty of flowers.

Be sure to check the height and spread of the tree before planting to ensure it has enough space to grow. This will prevent the branches from becoming too crowded and promote healthy growth.

Planting in a sheltered spot will also help to protect the tree from extreme temperatures and weather conditions. This will give the tree a better chance of blooming beautifully year after year.

You can plant a cherry blossom tree in the spring or autumn when the soil is warm and moist. This is the ideal time for container-grown trees.

Container-grown trees can be found at garden centres in the spring, making it a convenient time to plant.

Bare root trees, which are often cheaper, need to be planted during the dormant season, from November to March.

These trees are usually available from specialist tree nurseries and online, so you can still get them even if you're not visiting a garden centre.

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