Cherry Blossom
Prunus serrulata
Cherry blossoms are ornamental flowering cherry trees famed for clouds of pink or white spring blossoms. They are cultural icons in Japan, where they are celebrated as sakura.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Regular when young; moderate once established
- Difficulty
- Moderate
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Overview
Flowering cherries are deciduous ornamental trees grown for their spectacular but brief spring bloom, when bare branches erupt in masses of pink or white flowers. Prunus serrulata and its many cultivars are the classic Japanese cherries.
Unlike fruiting cherries, ornamental varieties are bred for flowers. The bloom—celebrated in Japan's hanami tradition—lasts only a week or two, making it a treasured seasonal event.
How to identify it
Recognizable by their springtime floral display and horizontal branching habit.
- Flowers: Clusters of five-petaled (or doubled) blooms in white to deep pink, appearing before or with the leaves
- Bark: Smooth, reddish-brown with prominent horizontal lenticel bands
- Leaves: Oval with serrated edges, often bronze when young, turning yellow-orange in fall
- Habit: Spreading to vase-shaped, typically 20-40 ft tall depending on cultivar
Care & growing
Flowering cherries need sun and good drainage but resent stress.
- Light: Full sun for the best bloom
- Water: Regular deep watering when young; moderate once established
- Soil: Fertile, well-draining, slightly acidic soil
- Temperature: Hardy in temperate zones; need winter chill to bloom
- Feeding: Light spring feeding; avoid excess nitrogen
- Maintenance: Prune minimally and only after flowering; they are prone to disease through pruning wounds
- Lifespan: Often relatively short-lived (15-30 years) compared to other trees
Habitat & origin
Ornamental cherries are native to East Asia—Japan, Korea, and China—where they grow in temperate woodlands and hills.
They are now planted worldwide as ornamental street and park trees, famously in Washington, D.C., and Japanese gardens, valued for their spring spectacle.
Frequently asked questions
How long do cherry blossoms last?
The bloom is famously brief, typically lasting only one to two weeks depending on weather.
Why is my cherry tree not blooming?
Insufficient winter chill, too much shade, or over-pruning can reduce flowering.
How do I recognize a flowering cherry?
Look for smooth reddish-brown bark with horizontal lenticel bands and clusters of five-petaled white-to-pink blossoms appearing before or with the serrated oval leaves.
What shape do cherry blossom trees take?
Most are spreading to vase-shaped and typically 20-40 ft tall, though some cultivars are weeping or columnar.
Cherry Blossom guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Cherry Blossom.
