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Blooming Seasons of Cherry Blossom Trees

Japanese Flowering Cherries, Sakura, Cherry Blossom

Japanese Flowering Cherries, Flowering Cherries, Blooming season Flowering Cherries, Sakura, Fragrant Cherry Blossom,  Higan cherry,Yoshino Cherry, Fuji cherry

Among the most popular and spectacular spring-flowering trees, cherry blossoms, with their frothy masses of pink or white blossoms, usually signal the end of winter and reveal the first blush of spring.

Most cherry tree varieties bloom in spring over a season that usually lasts several weeks. However, changes in weather conditions may have an impact on the time of flowering, advancing or delaying the appearance of the beloved cherry blossoms by several weeks. Generally, the milder the climate, the earlier the blossoms open.

The cherry blossom season is relatively short. There may be 2 or 3 weeks between the opening of the first blossom and the shedding of the petals. Generally, the double flowers last longer than the single ones. Strong wind and rain can reduce the blooming season even shorter.

Not all cherry trees bloom at the same time. There are early bloomers such as Prunus pendula ‘Pendula Rosea‘ and Prunus x yedoensis (Yoshino cherry). They are followed by garden cherries, including the lovely Prunus ‘Accolade’, the deep pink Prunus pendula ‘Pendula Rosea’, and pure white Prunus ‘Umineko‘. Closing the spring season is the incredibly popular Prunus ‘Kanzan’ or Prunus ‘Shogetsu’.

Some Cherry tree varieties enjoy a particularly long blooming season and flower in flushes in the fall and during the winter months. Among them are Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’ (Rosebud Cherry) and Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’.

Since these pretty cherry blossoms do not last very long,  you may want to select ornamental cherries with multi-season interest. Some flowering cherries display wonderful fall color, with their foliage turning brilliant shades of gold, red, or orange before shedding to the ground and revealing the beauty of their gnarled trunks or the graceful outline of their branches.

Guide Information

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 6 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Trees
Genus Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Beds And Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden

Growing a Cherry Blossom Tree

Cherry Blossom trees do well in most gardens, and their care requirements are minimal. There are a few things to bear in mind, though, before purchasing a flowering cherry tree:

Location: Choose a location with full sun to partial shade. They require at least 6 hours of sunlight daily to produce the best bloom and growth. Therefore it is important to plant your tree in a spot that is not too shady or crowded.

Soil: These trees prefer relatively fertile, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH. Amend heavy clay or sandy soils with compost or other organic matter to improve fertility and drainage.

Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball. Place the tree in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill with soil and firm gently. Ensure the mature height and spread of the tree you wish to purchase will fit your intended area. The best time to plant is in early spring, after the danger of frost has passed, or in early fall, allowing plenty of time for roots to establish before the first freeze.

Watering: Water deeply and thoroughly after planting. Afterward, maintain consistent moisture, particularly in dry periods, but be careful not to overwater.

Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the tree after planting.

Pruning: Flowering cherries grow best if left alone, so it is best to avoid pruning aside from removing dead, diseased, or damaged growth. If you need to shape your tree, do so after flowering in early summer because there are fewer diseases, and you won’t remove the flower buds.

Fertilizing: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring, before the onset of new growth.

Winter Care: In colder regions, consider wrapping young trees or applying a layer of mulch around the base to protect from frost.

Pests and Diseases

While known for their beauty, Cherry Blossom trees are not immune to pests and diseases. Here are a few common issues you might encounter:

Pests

  • Aphids: These small, soft-bodied insects suck sap from the tree, which can result in curled, yellow leaves. They also excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can promote the growth of sooty mold.
  • Borers: Cherry trees can be susceptible to various types of borers which tunnel into the trunk and branches. Symptoms include holes in the bark, sawdust-like frass, and wilting or dieback of branches.
  • Tent caterpillars: These caterpillars spin webs in the tree and feed on the leaves, potentially defoliating branches or even entire trees.

Diseases

  • Brown Rot: This fungal disease can cause browning, wilting, and rotting of blossoms and fruit. It can also produce tan or brown spore masses on affected parts.
  • Leaf spot: Various fungi can cause leaf spots on cherry trees. Spots can vary in color and may cause leaves to drop prematurely.
  • Powdery mildew: This fungus appears as a white to gray powdery coating on leaves and can cause distortion or early leaf drop.
  • Cherry Leaf Spot: This fungal infection causes red to purple spots on leaves, which may turn yellow and fall off.

Prevention is key in managing these potential problems. Regular monitoring, maintaining good tree health, and practicing proper sanitation (like cleaning up fallen leaves and pruning out diseased branches) can go a long way in preventing outbreaks.

Discover These Helpful Guides for Further Reading

Favorite Weeping Cherry Blossoms for Your Garden
Flowering Cherry Trees with Attractive Fall Colors
Fragrant Flowering Cherry Trees for Your Garden
Pretty Cherry Blossom Trees for Your Garden
Which Cherry Blossom Tree for my Garden?
Compare All Prunus (Cherry Tree)
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Prunus (Cherry Tree)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 6 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Trees
Genus Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Beds And Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden
Compare All Prunus (Cherry Tree)
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Prunus (Cherry Tree)

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