🌸 Yoshino Cherry – PRUNUS × YEDOENSIS (Prunus × yedoensis)

🌸 Origin and type

Species: Prunus × yedoensis (Yoshino cherry)

Origin: Japan

Common names: Yoshino cherry, Tokyo cherry

Japanese name: Somei-Yoshino (for the best-known cultivar)

Family: Rosaceae

Type: Deciduous ornamental tree

Special feature: A Japanese horticultural hybrid particularly famous for abundant spring blossoms. Widely used in flowering-cherry plantings in Japan and Washington.

🌳 Tree characteristics

Habit: Rounded to broadly spreading, with horizontal, slightly arching branches

Mature size: 7 to 12 m, sometimes up to 15 m

Spread: 7 to 12 m

Vigour: Moderate to fast

Hardiness: Zones 5 to 8 (about −29 to −6 °C)

Exposure: Full sun to light partial shade

Soil: Fertile, rich in organic matter and well drained

Moisture: Fresh to moderately moist

pH: Slightly acidic to alkaline

Special feature: Develops an elegant, spreading crown that becomes especially spectacular at maturity.

🌺 Flower

Form: Single, with 5 petals

Colour: Very pale pink in bud, opening white or pinkish white

Diameter: About 3.5 to 4 cm

Fragrance: Sweet, lightly scented, reminiscent of almond

Flowering: April to May, depending on the climate

Arrangement: Small clusters of 3 to 6 flowers

Special feature: Very abundant flowering before or as leaves emerge makes the tree look like a pinkish-white cloud.

🍒 Fruit

Shape: Small, rounded drupe

Colour: Initially red, then dark red to black when ripe

Size: About 0.5 to 1.5 cm

Flesh: Thin, containing a stone

Flavour: Little appeal for human consumption, generally bitter

Ripening: Late summer

Interest: Small cherries appreciated by birds and wildlife.

🌼 Flowering and pollination

Flowering: April to May, depending on the climate

Pollination: Mainly by insects

Pollinators: Bees, bumblebees and other spring insects

Self-fertility: Fruit production varies; cross-pollination can improve fruiting.

Ecological value: An excellent spring food source for pollinators.

🍂 Seasonal interest

Spring: Spectacular pinkish-white blossoms before foliage emerges.

Summer: Dense, dark green foliage.

Fall: Yellow to orange foliage.

Winter: Beautiful branching structure and greyish to reddish-brown bark.

🛠️ Growing and care

Planting: Spring or fall

Watering: Regular during the first two years, then moderate

Pruning: Minimal, to remove dead, diseased or crossing branches

Pruning period: Ideally in summer, after flowering

Fertilizing: Compost in spring if the soil is poor

Spacing: Allow 7 to 10 m for crown development

Diseases: May be susceptible to bacterial canker, brown rot, shot-hole disease and leaf diseases.

Special feature: Prefers well-drained soil and poorly tolerates prolonged drought or waterlogged ground.

🍽️ Uses

• Specimen tree in large landscaped gardens.

• Plant alone to showcase its blossoms.

• Beautiful in rows or small groups.

• Excellent for parks and large green spaces.

• Ideal for a Japanese-inspired garden.

• Useful for attracting spring pollinators.

💡 Yoshino cherry highlights

✅ Exceptional, abundant spring blossoms

✅ Beautiful, lightly fragrant pinkish-white flowers

✅ Elegant, broadly spreading habit

✅ Relatively fast growth

✅ Beautiful yellow and orange fall foliage

✅ Attracts bees and pollinators

✅ Small fruit appreciated by birds

✅ An iconic tree of Japanese gardens