Japanese Cherry
Prunus serrulata · Rosaceae
📷 Myrabella · CC BY-SA 3.0
⚠️ Feuilles, tiges et noyaux ou graines mâchés contiennent des glycosides cyanogènes ; le risque dépend de la partie et de la quantité ingérées. Pour les espèces fruitières, la chair mûre dénoyautée est généralement sans danger.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around japanese cherry and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Prunus serrulata
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Blooming
- March to May, double pink or white flowers
- Mature height
- Approximately 8 meters
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -15°C
- Origin
- Japan, horticultural hybrid
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Prune your Japanese cherry tree just after flowering, only to remove dead wood or crossing branches.
The common mistake
Pruning in autumn or winter removes flower buds that have already formed.
The pro's trick
Keep the center of the tree open to limit gummosis and fungal diseases.
Care
Exposure
The ornamental cherry thrives in full sun, which ensures abundant and spectacular blooming. Install it in an open location, sheltered from strong winds that could damage its delicate flowers. A south or east-facing exposure is ideal for enhancing its development.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year after planting to establish strong rooting. Once established, the cherry tolerates dry periods well. Keep the soil slightly moist in case of prolonged drought, especially during blooming and spring growth.
Soil
The ornamental cherry appreciates well-drained, fertile soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. Avoid overly chalky or compacted soils. Adding compost at planting time will enrich the substrate and promote good root development.
Pruning and training
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and remove dead or crossing branches. Avoid severe pruning that weakens the tree. Let it develop naturally into a spreading form to preserve its characteristic graceful silhouette.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring before blooming to stimulate vigor and flower production. A second application in late summer prepares the tree for winter. Prefer organic amendments that gradually enrich the soil.
Health and diseases
The ornamental cherry can be affected by moniliosis (flower rot) in humid conditions. Ensure good air circulation around the tree. Watch for pests such as sawflies, and intervene quickly if necessary.
Did you know?
Prunus serrulata is the variety traditionally celebrated during Hanami, the Japanese cherry blossom festival, symbolizing renewal and transience. Its hybrids, developed by Japanese horticulturists for centuries, produce spectacular double flowers that produce almost no fruit, making it a purely ornamental form with no gastronomic interest unlike fruit-bearing cherries.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Cherry treePrunus avium
- Apple treeMalus domestica
- BlackthornPrunus spinosa
- Salad burnetPoterium sanguisorba
- Bird cherryPrunus padus
- BrambleRubus fruticosus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.