Early Season Flowering Cherry Trees for Your Garden

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, flowering cherries 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.

Not all cherry trees bloom at the same time. There are early bloomers (mid- to late March), midseason bloomers (late March to mid April) and late bloomers (mid- to late April).

Here is a list of pretty cherry trees for early color in your spring garden. In the last two weeks of March, they will surely wipe away those memories of our most recent winter.

Guide Information

Plant Type	Trees
Genus	Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Early), Fall
Height
Spread
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Attracts	Birds, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders
Garden Styles	City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden

Early Blooming Flowering Cherry Trees for Your Garden

Prunus ‘Accolade’ (Flowering Cherry)

Prunus ‘Accolade’ is an award-winning early-flowering ornamental cherry tree, admired for its beauty. Its spreading habit showcases drooping clusters of semi-double, shell pink flowers, emerging from dark pink buds in early to mid-spring. The large, abundant flowers create a breathtaking display along bare branches. Ovate dark green leaves form a fresh canopy in summer, turning brilliant orange in fall. Smooth dark red bark revealed in winter adds year-round interest to the landscape.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Height	20' - 25' (6.1m - 7.6m)
Spread	20' - 25' (6.1m - 7.6m)

Prunus ‘Kursar’ (Flowering Cherry)

Prunus ‘Kursar’ is a small deciduous tree with a spreading habit, perfect for small gardens. It blooms in early spring, boasting vivid, deep-pink saucer-shaped flowers in profuse clusters along bare branches. As the flowers fade, coppery-bronze leaves emerge, turning dark green to create a fresh summer canopy, and then brilliant orange in fall. With two seasons of interest, this small Japanese cherry tree makes a fine lawn specimen, ideal for gardens with limited space.

Hardiness	6 - 8
Height	10' - 15' (3m - 4.6m)
Spread	10' - 15' (3m - 4.6m)

Prunus ‘The Bride’ (Flowering Cherry)

Prunus ‘The Bride’ is an award-winning small, rounded deciduous tree, showcasing pure white, single flowers with bright red anthers in early to mid-spring. The appealing flat, open blooms emerge from pink buds and create a breathtaking display along the bare branches. With mid-green leaves forming a fresh summer canopy, the tree turns brilliant red and orange in fall. It makes a splendid specimen for lawns and is ideal for container gardening.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Height	6' - 7' (180cm - 210cm)
Spread	6' - 7' (180cm - 210cm)

Prunus × subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’ (Higan Cherry)

Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’ (Rosebud Cherry) is a stunning deciduous tree that offers year-round beauty. It delights with its flushes of semi-double, pale pink flowers that bloom from late fall to early spring, transitioning from red buds to white blooms. The tree’s lanceolate leaves provide an attractive green backdrop, turning bronze and gold in the fall. Its smooth chocolate-brown branches add to its elegant appeal.

Hardiness	6 - 8
Height	20' - 30' (6.1m - 9.1m)
Spread	15' - 30' (4.6m - 9.1m)

Prunus × subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’ (Higan Cherry)

Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’ (Rosebud Cherry) is an elegant deciduous tree that offers year-round beauty. It blooms in flushes from late fall to early spring, showcasing delicate clusters of semi-double, pale pink to white flowers. The tree’s lanceolate, green leaves emerge with a bronze tint in spring, turning orange and yellow in the fall before dropping to the ground. Its small black fruits attract birds in late summer.

Hardiness	6 - 8
Height	20' - 30' (6.1m - 9.1m)
Spread	15' - 30' (4.6m - 9.1m)

Prunus incisa ‘Kojo-No-Mai’ (Flowering Cherry)

Prunus incisa ‘Kojo-No-Mai’ is a charming dwarf flowering cherry, perfect for small gardens. It features zig-zag branches with profuse, single flowers in early spring. The delicate pale pink blossoms fade from crimson buds to blush white. With a stunning floral display, lance-shaped leaves, and brilliant fall colors, it offers two seasons of interest. This free-flowering cherry is an excellent choice for small gardens, rock gardens, or containers.

Hardiness	6 - 8
Height	7' - 8' (210cm - 240cm)
Spread	7' - 8' (210cm - 240cm)

Prunus pendula ‘Pendula Rosea’ (Weeping Cherry)

Prunus pendula ‘Pendula Rosea’ is one of the finest weeping cherries, a small deciduous tree with gracefully arching pendulous branches forming a broad crown. Its clear pink flowers emerge from deep rosy-pink buds in late winter to early spring, giving a charming see-through effect in drooping clusters. The ovate, dark green leaves create a fresh summer canopy, turning brilliant shades of orange and red in fall. The tree produces small inedible black fruits after the flowers wane.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Height	15' - 25' (4.6m - 7.6m)
Spread	15' - 25' (4.6m - 7.6m)

Prunus x yedoensis ‘Somei-Yoshino’ (Yoshino Cherry)

Prunus x yedoensis ‘Somei Yoshino’ (Yoshino Cherry) is a highly admired flowering cherry tree native to Japan. Its bare branches burst into a spectacular display of pale pink flowers in early or mid-spring, fading to white over time. The tree features ovate, dark green leaves that create a lush summer canopy. With its dramatic appearance and abundant blooms, ‘Somei Yoshino’ is a sought-after choice for gardens and landscapes.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Height	25' - 30' (7.6m - 9.1m)
Spread	25' - 30' (7.6m - 9.1m)

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Late Season Flowering Cherry Trees for Your Garden

Here is a list of pretty cherry trees for late season color (late March to mid April) in your spring garden. They will make a wonderful addition to your garden and be one of your spring delights with their clouds of blossom.

Height
Spread

Late Season Flowering Cherry Trees for Your Garden Read More

Midseason Flowering Cherry Trees for Your Garden

Here is a list of pretty cherry trees for midseason color (late March to mid-April) in your spring garden. Most make good ornamental trees for smaller gardens, thanks to their modest size.

Height
Spread

Midseason Flowering Cherry Trees for Your Garden Read More

Favorite Weeping Cherry Blossoms for Your Garden Read More

Flowering Cherry Trees with Attractive Fall Colors

Ornamental cherry trees are typically planted for the majestic yet delicate beauty of their flowers. However, many varieties are noted for their multi-season interest. Some display wonderful fall colors, with their foliage turning brilliant shades of gold, red, or orange. Others enjoy a graceful shape that commands attention with their cascading branches creating an umbrella that everyone would want to stand under.

Height
Spread

Flowering Cherry Trees with Attractive Fall Colors Read More

Fragrant Flowering Cherry Trees for Your Garden Read More

Pretty Cherry Blossom Trees for Your Garden

Cherry blossom trees, while primarily planted for their majestic and delicate flowers, are also valued for their multi-season appeal, showcasing vibrant fall foliage, interesting bark textures, and sometimes fruit, offering year-round beauty and interest in various landscapes.

Hardiness	4 - 9

Pretty Cherry Blossom Trees for Your Garden Read More

Which Cherry Blossom Tree for my Garden? Read More

Growing Flowering Cherries

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

Flowering cherries require full sun and good air circulation. Therefore it is important to plant your tree in a spot that is not too shady or crowded. Make sure the mature height and spread of the tree you wish to purchase will fit your intended area.
Flowering cherries require a moist, relatively fertile, well-drained soil. Easy to grow, they are not fussy, although they dislike poorly drained soil and will not tolerate boggy conditions. They should be watered thoroughly after planting and until the tree is well-established.
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 then and you won't remove the flower buds.
Flowering cherries are susceptible to insect and fungal disease problems. Regular pruning to thin out branches and allow for better air and light circulation will help keep your tree healthy. Watch for caterpillars, leaf-mining moths, bullfinches, silver leaf, bacterial canker and blossom wilt.
The best time to plant is in early spring, after the danger of frost has past, or in early fall, allowing plenty of time for roots to establish before the first freeze.
Apply a layer of mulch around the trees after planting.

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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.