Kwanzan & Flowering Cherry Trees

Kwanzan Cherry

• Kwanzan cherry tree (Prunus serrulata "Kwanzan") is also referred to as Japanese flowering tree and produces thick, ruffled, double-pink flowers during spring. The deciduous tree grows to a mature height of 12 to 20 feet with a 10- to 15-foot spread. Kwanzan cherry has a rapid growth rate and thrives in areas of full sun. The tree is hardy in USDA zones 6 to 8 and grows best in well-drained soil. Kwanzan cherry loses vigor in compacted or heavy ground and rarely needs pruning. The tree bark is delicate and prone to wounds. Avoid damaging the tree, as this makes the tree susceptible to disease.

Sargent Cherry

• Sargent cherry (Prunus sargentii) is a fast growing flowering cherry that blooms with 1 ½-inch, dark pink, single flowers in spring. Sargent cherry is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 7 and grows best in areas of sun and well-drained ground. The wind-tolerant tree has poor resistance to air pollution. Sargent cherry achieves a mature height of 20 to 40 feet with an equal spread. The 2- to 5-inch-long, simple, glossy, dark green foliage assumes red, orange and yellow fall hues. New foliage has a slight tinge of red. The deciduous tree develops an upright, spreading to rounded mature form.

Yoshino Cherry

• Yoshino cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) is a deciduous flowering cherry tree variety hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8. The rapid growing tree achieves a mature height of 30 to 40 feet with an equal or slightly bigger spread, and blooms with light pink to white double-flower clusters in early spring. The flowers are slightly fragrant and the alternate, simple foliage is 2 ½ to 4 ½ inches long, assuming yellow to gold fall shades. Yoshino cherry adapts well to areas of sun to light shade and grows well in well-drained or clay soils. The tree develops an arching and softly rounded mature form.