In the spring, cherry blossom trees produce clouds of stunning white or pink blooms. In sunny garden settings, flowering cherry trees provide seasonal color to your yard. Since they need little care and provide you with gorgeous flowers, growing cherry blossom trees is simple.
Japan is home to the bulk of cherry blossom trees. Several nations, however, have Japanese cherry blossom trees that may be seen in parks, gardens, sidewalks, and green cities. In early and mid-spring, many visitors come to see these lovely trees with pink blossoms.
Cherry blossom trees come in a variety of colors and sizes. Hundreds of additional cultivars have been developed over time to make growing cherry trees in residential gardens easier. weeping cherry blossom trees, also known as dwarf weeping cherry trees, are some of the most stunning cherry trees.
Between 20 and 40 feet (6 and 12 meters) tall, large cherry blossom trees grow. Dwarf cherry blossoms, on the other hand, have lovely flowers and only grow up to 8 – 10 feet (2.5 – 3 meters) tall if you want them to flourish in your front or back garden. The fruit of most cherry blossom trees is tiny, acidic, and inedible. The small cherries produced by the flowering trees attract birds to cherry blossom trees, which feed on them.
Sakura literally means “cherry blossom,” and the most prevalent kind of sakura is Prunus serrulata. Nevertheless, many varieties of cherry blossom trees are often referred to as sakura. Annual cherry blossom celebrations, such as sakura matsuri, are held in several places.
This article will teach you how to grow the most gorgeous cherry blossom trees in your yard. Pictures of cherry blossom trees can help you choose the best cultivar for your garden landscape, in addition to descriptions.
Growing Cherry Blossom Trees
The shrub and tree genus Prunus, as well as the family Rosaceae, are home to cherry trees. The spring blossoms of cherry blossom trees, which range in size from tiny to medium, are famous. USDA zones 5 through 9 are home to the majority of cherry blossom trees. Yet, in zone 4, certain cold-hardy types of Japanese flowering cherry trees may be cultivated, such as Prunus serrulata ‘Kiku-Shidare-Zakura’. Yet, in areas above USDA 8, the renowned Yoshino cherry tree Prunus x yedoensis ‘Somei-Yoshino’ will not thrive.
Select the brightest area in your garden to plant cherry blossom trees in your front or backyard. Blooming cherry trees must develop in moist, well-draining soil, as well as receiving six to eight hours of sunlight every day. Watering cherry blossom trees once or twice a week during the summer is recommended.
Cherry Blossom Flowers
These ornamental trees have simple 5-petal blossoms or double blossoms with dozens of petals, and their flowers are white or pink. Showy blooms with five to 30-50 petals apiece appear on cherry trees throughout the season. Single blossoms, semi-double blossoms, lovely double blossoms, and stunning chrysanthemum-type blooms are the four types of cherry blossom flowers.
Flower petals may be oval, ovate, or round depending on the cherry blossom cultivar. Simple white flowers with five petals are seen on several of the most popular cherry blossom trees. Several cultivars, including the Japanese sakura Prunus serrulata, feature huge pink blooms with hundreds of ruffled petals in blossom clusters.
Cherry Blossom Colors
The flowers of most cherry blossom varieties (sakura) are delicate hues of white to light pink. Nevertheless, some cherry blossoms, such as the Prunus serrulata Japanese cherry blossom tree, have deeper pink flowers. The Prunus ‘Ukon’ tree, which bears lighter cream-yellow blossoms, is an more uncommon variety of cherry blossom. Or the cherry tree’s unique pale green blossoms. The delicate pink blooms of the Yoshino cherry tree, Prunus yedoensis, are the most well-known of all cherry blossom varieties.
Cherry Blossom Season
Cherry trees bloom from the middle of March to the middle of April, and most varieties bloom in the spring. The cherry blossoms in the trees typically last two to three weeks. The flowers, on the other hand, can survive in warmer temperatures for longer periods of time.
Early season flowering cherry trees The Weeping cherry tree (Prunus pendula), Yoshino cherry tree (Prunus yedoensis), and Higan cherry tree (Prunus subhirtella) are included.
Midseason blossoming cherry trees Double Weeping cherry tree (Prunus pendula ‘Pendula Plena Rosea’) and Prunus serrulata ‘Kiku-Shidare-Zakura’ are also included in this group. Rosea is a genus of plants that are growing.
Late season flowering sakuras Prunus ‘Pink Perfection,’ Prunus ‘Shirofugen,’ and Prunus ‘Shogetsu’ are some of the varieties available.
Cherry Blossom Leaves
In the autumn, the crimson-orange leaves of Sargent’s cherry blossom (prunus sargentii) have serrated margins and a glossy green color. Green color with touches of bronze predominate over the summering ornamental cherry tree foliage, which turns dark green. The colors of red, orange, gold, or coppery-yellow on many Japanese cherry blossom tree leaves are stunning in fall.
Cherry Blossom Trees (With Pictures)
Let’s take a closer look at some of the best cherry blossom trees for sunny gardens.
Japanese Cherry Blossom Tree (Prunus Serrulata) – Sakura Tree
Several cultivars of the Japanese cherry blossom tree (Sakura tree) have blossoms with a variety of forms and colors. Japanese cherry blossoms come in a variety of colors and sizes, with single, semi-double, and double blooms that are highly scented. In the fall, the blossoming cherry tree’s dark-green ovate leaves become warm bronze or crimson.
Ensure that the soil is moisturey by growing sakura trees in full sun and well-draining condition. With upright growth and a spreading crown, Japanese flowering cherry trees grow between 15 and 25 feet (4 and 8 meters) tall.
Cherry blossom flower: Depending on the cultivar, Japanese cherry blossom (sakura) may have a variety of flower colors, including white and pink. Before the leaves develop, the flowers bloom on branches. The cultivar determines the form, color, and fragrance of cherry blossoms on Japanese trees.
Kwanzan Cherry Blossom Tree (Prunus Serrulata ‘Kwanzan’)
With its showy pink flowers, the Kwanzan cherry blossom tree adds a spectacular touch to any garden. The spreading vase-shaped growth of the flowering cherries grows between 25 and 30 feet (7.6 and 9 meters) tall. In the autumn, before the leaves fall, the tree’s dark green foliage turn vivid yellow or orange. These cultivars don’t produce any fruit and are also known as Kanzan or Sekiyama cherry trees. As a specimen landscape tree, Plant Kwanzan
Cherry blossom flower: Dark pink double flowers cluster three to five together on Kwanzan cherry blossom trees. There are up to 30 individual petals on each of the showy blooms.
Yoshino Cherry Blossom Tree (Prunus yedoensis)
Due to its lovely white or light pink blooms, Yoshino cherry tree is the most popular sakura. In the fall, Yoshino cherry’s dark green foliage turns orange and red, giving it a vase-shaped crown. Between 16 and 30 feet (5 to 12 meters) tall, the fast-growing deciduous flowering cherry tree grows. In the summer, the tiny black cherry fruits attract birds. They are inedible.
Cherry blossom flower: A solitary white to pink blossom with five petals, Yoshino cherry blossoms are unique. White cherry blossoms bloom in early spring, and clusters of three to six blossoms have pink tinges.
Okame Cherry Tree (Prunus x incam ‘Okame’)
Okame cherry trees have crimson-pink, five-petaled blossoms that grow 15 to 25 feet (4.5 – 7.5 meters) tall and broad. The small upright growth of Okame cherry trees and their vase-shaped crown that develops rounded as the tree ages are what characterize them. The Okame cherry tree brightens gardens from early spring through late fall. In the autumn, Okame cherry tree leaves turn a vibrant orange to crimson color. Okame cherry blossom trees are very popular in sunny backyards because of their tiny stature.
Cherry blossom flower: The solitary blossoms of the Okame cherry tree have five petals. The crimson-colored blooms stand out on the naked cherry tree branches, with their deep pink coloration.
Bird Cherry Blossom Tree (Prunus padus)
The beautiful Bird cherry blossoms are flowering trees with dangling white flowers that bloom in clusters when the leaves appear in the spring. They may grow up to 49 feet (15 meters) tall. This fruit-producing tree bears little pea-sized black berries that are too sour to consume. It is also known as the European bird cherry. In the autumn, the long, ovate green leaves turn bright yellow. The Prunus padus blooms bloom after the leaves, unlike many other cherry blossom types.
Cherry blossom flower: Little white blooms resembling bird cherry blossoms bloom as racemes. When the pendulous blooms bloom in the mid-late spring, they emit a lovely fragrance.
Sargent’s Cherry Blossom Tree (Prunus sargentii)
The Sargent’s cherry tree has a spreading growth habit and masses of light-pink flowers. This cultivar grows to be 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 meters) tall and is also known as North Japanese Hill cherry. Early spring sees bright red buds burst open to reveal lovely pink blossoms with wavy edges. The bark of this cherry tree is likewise glossy and mahogany. Sargent’s cherry tree has a spreading growth habit, making it ideal for shade.
Sergant cherry tree blossoms have five petals and are pink.
Cherry blossom flower: Sargent cherry blossoms, which bloom just before the foliage, are solitary pink to deep pink blooms. After blooming, clusters of tiny sour black cherries appear.
Fuji Cherry Blossom Tree (Prunus incisa)
The delicate white blooms of the decorative Fuji cherry tree are a beautiful sight to behold. Fuji cherry trees range in height from 20 to 26 feet (6 to 8 meters) and come in small to medium size. While this isn’t a weeping cherry blossom tree, the thin branches droop somewhat. In the fall, the oval pointed green leaves turn yellow to orange with double serration.
Cherry blossom flower: White solitary fragrant blossoms hang in clusters above the Fuji cherry trees. Mid-March to early April is when the little cherry blossoms bloom.
Dwarf Flowering Fuji Cherry Tree (Prunus incisa ‘Kojo-No-Mai’)
The flowering cherry blossom tree ‘Kojo-No Mai’ is a dwarf cherry blossom tree that grows only up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) in height. The zig-zagging branches and abundance of single white blossoms distinguish the blooming miniature cherry tree, which is known as ‘Kojo-No Mai.’ In the summer, its leaves become lanceolate and dark green. In the autumn, they turn a brilliant crimson hue. Compact gardens or growing in containers on patios or decks, dwarf ‘Kojo-No Mai’ cherry trees are ideal.
Cherry blossom flower: ‘From crimson buds, Kojo-No Mai cherry blossoms bloom on bare branches. Single flowers with thin whitish-pink petals, the dwarf Fuji cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
Weeping Cherry Blossom Trees (With Pictures)
Some of the most gorgeous trees to bloom in the spring are weeping cherry blossom trees. The blossoms become a mound of white to pink dazzling blooms on the drooping, pendulous branches. Small to huge weeping cherry trees, ranging from 8 feet (2.4 meters) to 30 feet (9 meters), can be found all over the world.
Weeping Higan Cherry Blossom Tree (Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’)
The weeping Higan flowering cherry tree has double pink blooms and lustrous green leaves, making it a stunning specimen tree in any garden. Between 20 and 30 feet (6 and 9 meters) tall, this Japanese weeping cherry blossom tree. The weeping tree has a spread of up to 25 feet (7.5 meters) due to its arching cascading branches. Green lanceolate leaves turn golden yellow in the autumn on the quickly expanding cherry tree.
Cherry blossom flower: weeping higan cherry blossom are beautiful, double pink blooms that bloom all throughout spring. This cherry blossom tree is a stunning tree because its blossoms cover exposed cascading branches.
Weeping Yoshino Cherry Blossom Tree (Prunus x yedoensis ‘Shidare-Yoshino’)
Weeping Yoshino cherry trees feature cascading branches and white blooms, giving them a rounded, umbrella-like appearance. Any time of year, the elegant drooping nature of this cherry tree is stunning. When the flowers bloom in early spring, the bare branches erupt into bright white.
The ornamental bark is glossy, and the dense green foliage changes gold and bronze hues in the autumn. Yoshino weeping cherry cultivars thrive in full sun and grow up to 25 feet (7.5 meters) tall.
Cherry blossom flower: The weeping Yoshino cherry tree branches create a bouquet effect by dangling a cluster of solitary white flowers.
Double Weeping Cherry Tree (Prunus x subhirtella ‘Pendula Plena Rosea’)
One of the most gorgeous weeping cherry blossom trees you may cultivate in your yard is the ‘Pendula Plena Rosea.’ This beautiful blossoming cherry tree has gracefully drooping branches that grow between 15 and 25 feet (4.5 and 7.5 meters). In mid-spring, the cascading branches burst into bloom, producing double flowers that dangle from the branches.
Cherry blossom flower: Clusters of double blooms in various hues of pink adorn the ‘Pendula Plena Rosea’ flowering cherry trees. This kind blooms for a long time when compared to other flowering cherry trees.
Pink Snow Showers Weeping Cherry Tree (Prunus x ‘Pisnshzam’ syn. Prunus ‘Pink Snow Showers’)
Due to its graceful weeping growth habit, weeping pink snow shower cherry trees create dramatic cascading flowers and foliage. With a massive umbrella-like crown, this cherry blossom tree cultivar grows up to 25 feet (8 meters) tall. In the autumn, before the leaves fall, this show-stopping blooming cherry tree’s green foliage turns golden yellow and reveals smooth red bark.
Cherry blossom flower: Double flowers in a deep mauve or dark pink color, weeping pink snow shower cherry blossoms In mid-spring, the tree has a pink garden waterfall appearance due to its cascading branches.
Dwarf Weeping Flowering Cherry Trees (With Pictures)
Little, compact gardens appreciate dwarf weeping cherry blossom trees. In a sunny garden landscape, the small cherry trees are also excellent specimen or lawn trees. Plant these trees in rich, well-drained soil and provide them with enough water to keep the ground moist, as with all cherry blossom varieties.
Japanese Weeping Cherry Blossom Tree (Prunus serrulata ‘Kiku-Shidare-Zakura’)
Sakura Japanese weeping cherry trees are gorgeous tiny trees for adding to your garden. They feature gorgeous ruffled pink blooms. These weeping blossom trees have drooping branches with stunning showy chrysanthemum ball-like flowers and cannot grow taller than 10 feet (3 meters). In the autumn, the glossy green leaves become orangey-bronze in hue, exposing peeling bronze-colored bark.
Cherry blossom flower: Large ruffled pink blooms like chrysanthemums, known as ‘Kiku-Shidare-Zakura,’ bloom. In April, the late-blooming blossoms cover cascading branches and appear.
Snow Fountain Dwarf Weeping Cherry Blossom Tree (Prunus serrulata ‘Snow Fountain’)
One of the nicest examples of a flowering dwarf tree is the Snow Fountain weeping cherry tree, which has attractive pendulous branches and snow white single blooms. With a narrow growth habit, the Prunus serrulata dwarf cultivar grows between 8 and 15 feet (2.4 and 4.5 meters) tall. The little cherry tree develops cascading white fragrant blooms when it blooms in mid-spring. In the fall, beautiful green leaves develop, which gradually turn to eye-catching golden-yellow hues.
Cherry blossom flower: Little solitary white blooms bloom on the arching limbs of snow fountain cherry blossom trees. The cherry tree’s blooms appear to be a fountain of cascading snowflakes in full bloom in the spring.
Hiromi Dwarf Weeping Cherry Blossom Tree (Prunus jacquemontii ‘Hiromi’)
Hiromi weeping cherry trees are dwarf flowering landscaping trees that reach a height of no more than 6 or 7 feet (1.8 – 2 m). In full sun and moist soil, Hiromi dwarf weeping cherry blossom trees grow. Every spring, the fragrant weeping growth produces stunning pink flowers. In the autumn, the dwarf tree’s foliage become vivid golden yellow. One of the few shrubby cherry trees that you can grow as a flowering privacy hedge or screen is this weeping cherry blossom tree.
Cherry blossom flower: Hiromi cherry blossoms, which are solitary flowers in light pink hues, are lovely.