Yoshino Cherry
Prunus x yedoensis
A small to medium deciduous tree known for its wide-spreading, flat-topped crown, smooth reddish-brown bark, and abundant white to pale pink blossoms that appear before the leaves emerge in spring.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Water
- Moderate watering needs, about an inch of water per week; drought tolerant once established, but avoid prolonged dry periods
- Growth
- Deciduous tree with a spreading, rounded or vase-shaped crown, reaching mature heights of 30 to 50 feet with a similar spread, and a moderate to fast growth rate
Care instructions
Plant in full sun with consistent moisture and well-draining soil. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring before new growth starts. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
Watering
Moderate watering needs, about an inch of water per week; drought tolerant once established, but avoid prolonged dry periods
Soil
Prefers loamy, rich, well-drained soils with a neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.0
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 8
Growth habit
Deciduous tree with a spreading, rounded or vase-shaped crown, reaching mature heights of 30 to 50 feet with a similar spread, and a moderate to fast growth rate
Bloom season
Early spring, producing profuse clusters of fragrant, 5-petaled white or pale pink flowers
Propagation
Propagated primarily through softwood cuttings in late spring or summer, or by budding and grafting onto rootstocks
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to aphids, scale, caterpillars, powdery mildew, and leaf spot, which can be managed with appropriate horticultural oils and systemic fungicides
Similar species
Kwanzan Cherry (Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan'), which features double pink flowers rather than the single white to pale pink blossoms of the Yoshino Cherry