Prunus - Flowering Cherry Trees

Prunus Kanzan

Flowering Cherry Tree

Prunus 'Kanzan' is a truly beautiful flowering cherry tree, which offers an array of interest throughout the year. In spring, bronzed leaves emerge and the iridescent sheen of the leaves glimmers in the early spring sunshine. Alongside the bronzed leaves, crimson flower buds appear: as the flowers open, they reveal deep pink, double flowers. The flowers appear in abundance and hang from their long stalks pendulously. By summer, the leaves have matured to a rich green colour and they later turn to autumnal orange shades, before falling. The tree itself is vase-shaped when young, but it later matures to have a spreading habit. The 'Kanzan' is deservedly one of the most popular Japanese flowering cherry trees: its versatility and size allow it to be planted in a range of situations. Japanese cherry trees thrive in a sunny spot and they prefer moist, fertile and deep soil. Avoid shallow and chalky soil for the best results. You can plant the ‘Kanzan’ as an ornamental specimen and it works equally well as an avenue tree. This tree looks beautiful alongside the prunus ‘Royal Burgundy’, where the rich green leaves of the ‘Kanzan’ contrast beautifully with the deep purple leaves of the ‘Royal Burgundy’. The ‘Kanzan’ is a delightful tree, which will become a real feature of your garden. Common Name: Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Kanzan'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: March to April /Rich PinkHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 6m x 4mSpecial features: Good autumn foliage colour. Trustpilot

Prunus serrula Tibetica

Birch Bark Cherry Tree

Prunus serrula 'Tibetica', or Birch Bark Cherry as it is commonly known, is a tree that is prized for its ornamental red-brown bark. This tree also boasts willow-like leaves and small, cherry-like fruits. This really is a fantastic tree for year-round interest, as the deep mahogany-coloured bark glistens throughout all seasons. The bark, which peels away in bands with age, makes a really attractive feature in winter as the deep coppery-brown colour stands out in a sleeping winter garden. This is, of course, a flowering cherry tree, so it does have a blossom is spring: the flowers are small, white in colour and are present in April. The bark is by far the most notable feature of this tree, so this is not the choice if you’re after a profusely flowering tree. The deep green leaves are willow-like and cover the tree in spring, summer, before turning yellow in autumn. Autumn also sees the arrival of the small, cherry-like fruits, which are a great natural bird feeder.   This handsome tree was the worthy winner of the RHS' Award of Garden Merit (AGM) in 2002, but it was first introduced to the UK back in 1908 by Ernest Wilson. Wilson brought the Tibetan cherry tree over from China and it has been a popular choice since its arrival. This tree needs a sunny spot in the garden for it to really thrive. We would strongly recommend planting it alongside the stunning Betula ‘Snow Queen’, so that the glistening white bark of the ‘Snow Queen’ can contrast beautifully with the deep mahogany sheen of the ‘Tibetica’. This tree also works well when planted as a lawn specimen and, to really set it off in winter, you could add lights to the tree and enjoy the glossy bark being highlighted by the twinkle of the lights. Common Name: Birch Bark Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus serrula 'Tibetica'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: May/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 5m x 4mSpecial features: Beautiful polished mahogany-like bark.

Prunus Shogetsu

Blushing Bride Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Blushing Bride Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Shogetsu' (Prunus 'Longpipes')Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April to May/Pink in bud, pure white flowerHardiness: Fully hardyEventual Height/spread: 4m x 6mSpecial features: Semi-double flowers, pink tinged in bud, later opening pure white.Prunus Shogetsu, the Blushing Bride Flowering Cherry Tree, is a spectacle in any garden space. This captivating specimen is best known for its late spring display - abundant soft pink blossoms that vibrantly light up landscapes.The Blushing Bride Flowering Cherry boasts a graceful weeping habit, adding charm to your garden. Its small, dark green leaves provide a subtle backdrop to the profusion of blossoms, creating a balanced contrast.Thriving in well-drained soil under full sun, Prunus Shogetsu is a hardy tree that shows beauty throughout the seasons. With a projected height of 4 metres and a spread of 6 metres in 20 years, it’s a perfect choice for gardens of many different sizes.Whether planted as a standalone spectacle to steal the spotlight or integrated into a mixed planting project, the Blushing Bride Flowering Cherry Tree adds texture and charm to any garden. Prunus Shogetsu promises not just a seasonal display, but a year-round source of colour. 

Add one to your garden today and enjoy its soft pink hues for years to come.

Prunus Snow Goose

Flowering Cherry Tree

Prunus 'Snow Goose’ is a great feature in any garden due to its small, narrow size and upright growth habit.

 During the flowering season, this Flowering Cherry Tree floods your garden with its profuse white blossoms. The large, soft single white flowers appear in early April, giving your space that alluring spring-time tint. The bright green summer leaves slowly transition to autumnal hues as the seasons progress. Think fiery reds and bold bronze colours. 

 This Flowering Cherry Tree has a height of around 4 metres and a spread of about 2.5 metres over a 10 year period. Its compact size makes it suitable for various garden sizes, while its deciduous nature allows for seasonal changes and interest. 

 With Prunus Snow Goose, you get lots of the vibrant benefits of other Prunus trees, without the need for a large area. Small space, big impact! 

Versatile and adaptable, it will tolerate most soil types. However, it will perform best when positioned in full sun. Enjoy the Prunus Snow Goose season after season. Common Name: Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Snow Goose'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: Early April/Large single white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 10 years: 4m x 2.5mSpecial features: A narrow, upright tree with large white flowers.

Prunus Fragrant Cloud

Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Fragrant Cloud'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: Spring/Large clusters of white flowers.Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 8m x 6mSpecial features: Large, white, fragrant, semi-double flowers, which fade to pink with age. (Deciduous)Prunus 'Fragrant Cloud' has a strong spreading habit best suited medium to large gardens. This is a spectacular tree in the spring with large, white, semi double flowers that turn pinkish as they fade. The flowers are richly scented, a most unusual feature in a flowering cherry. The spring leaves are the perfect foil for the flowers as they emerge as a coppery colour, then fade to green, then finally an autumnal orange.

Prunus Beni Yutaka

Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Beni Yutaka'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: Spring/Deep pink semi-double flowersHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 10 years: 5m x 3mSpecial features: Good autumn colour and deep pink semi-double flowers. (Deciduous)Prunus 'Beni Yutaka' was first introduced from Japan in the 1980's. This spectacular flowering cherry has large semi double open pink flowers with a distinctive centre eye which darkens as it ages. Another feature of this tree is its stunning autumn colours of deep purple and blistering red. This is an extremely healthy and robust variety suitable for any situation.

Prunus x Yedoensis

Tokyo Cherry Tree

Common Name: Tokyo Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus X YedoensisSoil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: March to April/Blush-white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 12m x 8mSpecial features: Almond scented flowers on slightly weeping branches.Prunus X Yedoensis is a highly attractive tree with elegant, spreading branches which become covered with almond scented, blush-white flowers in March and April. New leaves emerge green and fade to shades of orange and red come autumn. The tree is beautiful when grown as a lawn specimen, and is also lovely when planted in large groups, or as an avenue tree.

Prunus avium Plena

Wild Cherry Tree

Common Name: Wild Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus avium 'Plena'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 12m x 12mSpecial features: small reddish fruit.Masses of long-lasting, double white blossom appear in mid-spring with the new leaves, followed by small reddish fruit. Dark green leaves turn rich, vibrant red in autumn. Pyramid shape becoming rounded with age makes it an ideal plant for a woodland garden or as an avenue tree.

Prunus Ukon

Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Ukon'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/Yellowish WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 5m x 6mSpecial features: Red and purple leaves in the autumn before they fallThis is a robust cherry that has creamy, rather yellowish flowers, borne in late April and early May. The flowers may briefly co-exist with the bronzed young spring foliage. There is good red and purple colour in autumn before leaf fall. This tree does well as a specimen, it may also be planted with low growing shrubs. It should reach a height of around 8m with an equivalent spread so ensure you plant it in a position that allows for this growth.

Prunus avium

Wild Cherry Tree

Common Name: Wild Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus aviumSoil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April to May/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 15m/12mSpecial features: Beautiful native treeAn attractive and vigorous tree is one of the most attractive native woodland trees in Britain. It features single white flowers which appear in April and May, followed by glossy cherries which are ideal food for the birds.  The tree has grey bark which turns to mahogany shades as the tree ages and begins to peel. The tree is strong growing and healthy with a conical shape in its youth, more spreading and irregular with age. With this being a wild and native tree it looks good in naturalistic mixed planting as one might expect, yet it is versatile enough for avenue planting.

Prunus Sunset Boulevard

Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Sunset Boulevard Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Sunset Boulevard'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: Late April/ Large single white edged with pink.Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 6m x 2mSpecial features: A narrow, upright tree with large white, pink-edged flowers. Prunus 'Sunset Boulevard' is a relatively new introduction to the UK, already widely used as a street tree and in our opinion deserves wider use in gardens. It has an upright habit when young, maturing into a narrow vase-shaped crown. The large white, pink-edged flowers are borne in pairs and are held on the tree longer than many other Prunus varieties. The young foliage appears bronze fading to green in summer then golden yellow in autumn.

Prunus sargentii

Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Sargent's Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus sargentiiSoil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: Spring/Single bowl-shaped, pale pink flowers.Hardiness: Fully hardHeight/spread in 20 years: 5m x 4mSpecial features: Brilliant orange and red foliage in early autumn (Deciduous)Prunus sargentii is a beautiful flowering cherry tree which features chestnut brown bark and single, pale pink flowers in mid spring. The young foliage is bronze-red which really complients the pretty pink blossom. By summer, the leaves are mid-green and come autumn they fade to a crisp yellow and burnt orange. The tree has a spreading habit and a fairly rounded crown.

Prunus litigiosa

Tassel Cherry Tree

Common Name: Tassel Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus litigiosaSoil: Any well drainedPosition: Full sun/partial shadeHardiness: Fully HardyFlowering Period: AprilFlowering Colour: Pale pink-whiteHeight/Spread after 20 years: 5m x 3m The Prunus litigiosa is a uniquely beautiful variety of the flowering cherry trees. This tree has an upright habit and a somewhat conical shape, clusters of drooping pink-white flowers cover the tree in April. The juxtaposition of the upward growing branches and downward facing flowers creates a very distinctive tree. The anthers of the flowers are also unusual as they protrude beyond the petals, thus resembling tassels; this has given the tree the common name of 'Tassel Cherry'.

Prunus Shirofugen

Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Shirofugen'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April to May/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 7m x 7mSpecial features: Flowers change colour as the season goes on.Prunus 'Shirofugen' is a late-flowering cherry, often the last to bloom, occasionally lasting into early June. Double white flowers open from pink buds and become purplish-pink as they fade. The young leaves are copper coloured, becoming green with age and turning orange-red in autumn. A great choice for medium sized gardens, this attractive flowering cherry has a spreading habit and an 'umbrella-like' crown.

Prunus Royal Burgundy

Flowering Cherry Tree

The 'Royal Burgundy' features showy shell-pink flowers that contrast beautifully with the wine-red leaves. A great choice for autumn colour and an ideal candidate for the smaller garden. Prunus 'Royal Burgundy' is a slightly less vigorous, purple-leaved version of the extremely popular Prunus 'Kanzan'. In spring, as fresh foliage emerges, candyfloss-pink, double flowers burst to life and hang in pendant clusters all over the tree. The exuberant flowers are truly eye-catching and they will add a delightful splash of colour to any spring garden. Spring also sees the arrival of the deep and rich wine-red leaves, which contrast beautifully with the pale pink flowers. The leaves initially hold a bronzed tint, but they soon mature to the bold red colour and hold that colour throughout summer. The ovate leaves are slightly serrated at their edges and are fairly large in size, making this a real statement tree.  The foliage retains its vivid colour over summer, but it produces a final burst of life in autumn when the leaves turn to blistering shades of scarlet before falling. This tree makes the perfect ornamental lawn specimen and it eventually grows to have an upright-spreading habit, resembling a vase’s shape. Due to its fairly compact eventual size, this is ideal for a sunny spot in a small garden. The ‘Royal Burgundy’ works well alongside the ‘Kanzan’ as the two trees both feature the showy spring flowers, but their contrasting leaf colour really stands out. Common Name: Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Royal Burgundy'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April/Double shell pink flowersHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 4m x 3mSpecial features: Deep purple foliage all summer.

Prunus Tilstone Hellfire

Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Tilstone Hellfire Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Tilstone Hellfire'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April/Soft PinkHardiness: Fully hardyEventual Height/spread: 6m x 4mSpecial features: Single soft pink fowers with red and purple autumn colours. This beautiful flowering cherry is a newly established hybrid created from the Prunus sargentii ‘Rancho’ and the Prunus ‘Spire’. The cultivator, Donavan Leaman, crossbred the two trees and picked the best qualities from both. The leaves are metallic green in summer and turn brilliant shades of red and purple in autumn. A delicate array of soft, pink-white flowers bloom in April. The pretty floral display is attributed to the ‘Spire’ and the dazzling autumn leaves are from the ‘Rancho’. A truly magnificent garden tree.

Prunus Shirotae

Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Shirotae' (aka Prunus 'Mount Fuji')Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April to May/Semi-double snowy white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 3.5m x 5mSpecial features: Fragrant flowers in mid-springLight green new foliage darkens as it matures before turning fiery shades of orange and red in autumn. This tree has slightly curved branches that are shrouded with cup-shaped, scented white flowers in mid-spring. This tree has a uniquely beautiful shape as its spreading branches reach out to form an almost 'flat topped' crown. The 'Shirotae' is a good tree for a small to medium sized garden and will become a real focal feature of your garden.

Prunus padus

Bird Cherry Tree

Common Name: Bird Cherry Tree Latin Name: Prunus Padus Soil: Tolerates most soil types Position: Full sun Flowering period/colour: April to May/Creamy white flowers Hardiness: Fully hardy Eventual height/spread: 12m x 6m Special features: Almond-scented white flowers This delightful garden tree is the perfect choice for planting as a specimen in a sensory garden. The creamy white flowers are held on long, slender racemes and they have the most wonderful almond scent. The ovate green leaves are slightly tooted and these turn to a crisp yellow in autumn. Small, black and bitter fruits appear in autumn and these usually last until the birds eat them: an interesting fact is that the berries were formally used to colour wine.

Prunus Hokusai

Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Japanese Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Hokusai'Soil: Any well-drained soilPosition: Full sun/ Partial shadeHardiness: Fully hardyFlowering Period: SpringFlowering Colour: Pale pinkEventual Height/Spread after 20 years: 6m x 8m The Prunus 'Hokusai' is a pretty tree with beautiful bronze-brown oval leaves, which emerge in spring. This wide-spreading, deciduous tree was brought over from Japan in 1860 and has been a popular choice ever since. 'Hokusai' is used in parks and gardens as a specimen tree; remember when planting that this tree has a broad spread when mature. Responds well to occasional light pruning.

Prunus Pink Parasol

Japanese Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Japanese Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Pink Parasol' (aka Prunus 'Hanagasa')Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: Late April/ Large pale pink flowers.Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 10 years: 4m/4mSpecial features: One of the most beautiful of all the Japanese flowering cherry trees. (Deciduous)Prunus 'Pink Parasol' is one of the most beautiful and distinctive of all the Japanese flowering cherries with its graceful spreading habit. The branches become covered in long stemmed, large, pale-pink flowers, packed with petals which surround their green centres. This flowering cherry was first introduced to the UK from Japan in 1993.

Prunus padus Watereri

Bird Cherry Tree

Common Name: Bird Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus Padus 'Watereri'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April to May/Creamy white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 12m x 6mSpecial features: Yellow autumnal tints.A very striking tree when in full bloom, with its long, slender racemes of fragrant creamy white flowers in late April and May. The racemes are horizontal or pendulous, and can be as much as 20cm in length. It is a strong and tall tree, and makes an imposing specimen in the garden. This is a superb tree for an avenue, or for planting in groups in large scale landscape planting

Prunus Tai Haku

Hill Cherry Tree

Common Name: Great White Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus serrulata 'Tai Haku'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April/Large WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 7m x 8mSpecial features: Copper coloured young foliage.Prunus serrulata 'Tai Haku' is a large, robust cherry with clusters of long-stalked, single white flowers in mid-spring. The leaves open deep purple-bronze, becoming green in summer. The tree has a vigourus, spreading habit and is best suited to a medium sized garden. It makes a great garden specimen and is equally suited as a parkland tree.

Prunus Schubert

Chokecherry Tree

Common Name: Choke Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus virginiana 'Schubert'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April to May/light pink flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 8m x 6mSpecial features: Young green foliage quickly changes to deep reddish-purple.Prunus virginiana 'Schubert' is a medium sized tree with with a conical habit. The Young green leaves quickly change to a deep reddish-purple colour. Light pink flowers in spring are later followed by short-lived dark red-purple fruit. 'Schubert' has a pyramidal habit and makes a fantastic specimen tree. An ideal choice for adding a splash of colour to your garden.

Prunus Maackii

Manchurian Cherry Tree

Common Name: Manchurian Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Maackii'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: May/ White Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 6m x 4mSpecial features: Highly attractive cinnamon coloured peeling bark and white flowers The 'Maackii' is a true rival for the highly popular ‘Tibetica’ as it features glowing cinnamon-coloured bark that peels away as the tree matures. The bark is highly recognisable due to its glossy bronzed coating, and as the tree matures the bark becomes fissured and rugged. The flowers are also of great interest and these arrive in spring; the small white flowers are sweetly scented and open in racemes all over the tree in May. The leaves are of the typical prunus shape, with a vivid green colour and slightly serrated edges. The ornamental bark of this tree makes it the perfect choice for winter interest; a great all-rounder.