Flowering Cherry Trees with Attractive Fall Colors

Flowering Cherries, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms

Fall colors, Weeping cherries, Prunus, Japanese Flowering Cherries, Ornamental Cherries,Sakura, Cherry Blossom, Higan cherry,Yoshino Cherry, Fuji cherry

Ornamental cherry trees are typically planted for the majestic yet delicate beauty of their flowers. In spring, they are clothed in white or pink, single or double flowers, often before the leaves emerge. As the flowers wane and carpet the ground with their petals, their shiny, dark green serrated leaves appear to create a fresh summer canopy.

While truly enchanting, these pretty cherry blossoms do not last very long. Therefore, selecting ornamental cherries with multi-season interest would offer even more appeal. 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.

Here is a list of lovely flowering cherry trees that will add glory to your fall garden. Easy to grow, they rarely need pruning. Just give them some sun and a well-drained soil and you will be rewarded with infinite beauty in your garden.

Guide Information

Plant Type	Trees
Genus	Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	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
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

Flowering Cherry Trees with Attractive Fall Colors

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 ‘Amanogawa’ (Japanese Flowering Cherry)

Prunus ‘Amanogawa’ is an award-winning, columnar deciduous tree, ideal for small gardens. It’s known for its profuse, semi-double pale pink flowers that bloom in mid to late spring. The fragrant, large, saucer-shaped blossoms open from pink buds, maturing to near-white with a purplish-pink heart. Its leaves shift from bronze-green to mid-green and finally to red and orange in fall.

Hardiness	6 - 8
Height	20' - 25' (6.1m - 7.6m)
Spread	4' - 8' (120cm - 240cm)

Prunus ‘Ichiyo’ (Japanese Flowering Cherry)

Prunus ‘Ichiyo’ is an award-winning small deciduous tree with a spreading habit and gracefully ascending branches. Its ballerina-like double, shell pink flowers open from pink buds in mid to late spring, fading to almost white with age. The large blooms have 16-22 petals arranged around an open heart. Emerging pale bronze-green, the leaves turn deep green in summer, then orange and red in fall, creating a fresh canopy. ‘Ichiyo’ is a healthy, late-flowering cherry tree that makes a stunning addition to large gardens.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Height	15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)
Spread	15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)

Prunus ‘Kanzan’ (Japanese Flowering Cherry)

Prunus ‘Kanzan’, a standout deciduous tree, wows with vibrant pink double flowers each spring, preceding leaf out. With 20-30 petals per bloom and no resulting fruit, its beauty is uncluttered. Leaves transition from reddish-copper to dark green, then to autumnal oranges and bronzes. Its vase shape enhances walks, streets, and even bonsai projects, making it a versatile ornamental choice.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Height	25' - 30' (7.6m - 9.1m)
Spread	25' - 30' (7.6m - 9.1m)

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 ‘Pink Perfection’ (Japanese Flowering Cherry)

Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’ is an award-winning small deciduous tree with gracefully ascending branches, renowned for its abundant and showy flowers. In late spring, it dazzles with bright double pink blossoms hanging in drooping clusters. The huge flowers, opening from red buds, feature 28-32 frilly petals. Delicate bronze leaves turn green, then transform into brilliant red and orange in fall. This Japanese cherry offers two seasons of interest, making it a perfect lawn specimen and an ideal choice for gardens with limited space.

Hardiness	6 - 8
Height	10' - 15' (3m - 4.6m)
Spread	10' - 12' (3m - 3.7m)

Prunus ‘Shirofugen’ (Japanese Flowering Cherry)

Prunus ‘Shirofugen’ is a striking flowering cherry, admired for its vase-shaped form and exquisite blossoms. The large, fragrant double flowers begin pink in buds, then open to white with a hint of pink on the reverse of the outer petals before turning deep pink. Blooming in late spring, the flowers gracefully drape in pendulous clusters along the branches. The leaves emerge coppery-red, transitioning to bronze-green and eventually turning orange in fall. This healthy, vigorous ornamental cherry has been cherished by Western gardeners for over a century, and its popularity extends fivefold in Japan.

Hardiness	6 - 8
Height	25' - 30' (7.6m - 9.1m)
Spread	25' - 30' (7.6m - 9.1m)

Prunus ‘Shirotae’ (Japanese Flowering Cherry)

Prunus ‘Shirotae’ is an award-winning small deciduous tree, ideal for small gardens. It showcases a spreading crown and arching branches. In mid to late spring, it blooms with abundant, large, pure white flowers resembling rambling roses. The blossoms emit a pleasant almond fragrance and contrast beautifully with the pale green foliage. As summer progresses, the leaves turn dark green before transitioning to red and orange in fall. With its graceful shape and gorgeous white flowers, ‘Shirotae’ is a stunning addition to any landscape.

Hardiness	6 - 8
Height	15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)
Spread	15' - 25' (4.6m - 7.6m)

Prunus ‘Shogetsu’ (Japanese Flowering Cherry)

One of the finest Japanese cherries, award-winning Prunus ‘Shogetsu’ is a broad-spreading small deciduous tree with charming double flowers held in showy, hanging clusters of 3-6 blooms that can be up to 6 in. long! (15 cm). Providing a breathtaking display in late spring to early summer, the pretty blossoms are large, 2 in. across (5 cm). Light pink in bud, they open to pure white and resemble ballerina’s petticoats with their frilled 22-25 petals, nicely arranged around an open heart. The foliage of fresh green young leaves turns red and orange shades in the fall.

Hardiness	6 - 8
Height	15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)
Spread	15' - 25' (4.6m - 7.6m)

Prunus ‘Tai-Haku’ (Japanese Flowering Cherry)

Prunus ‘Tai-Haku’ is an ancient Japanese tree, an award-winning medium-sized deciduous tree with a broad spreading habit. Its cherry blossoms are exceptionally large and beautiful, emerging as single, pure white flowers from pink buds in mid to late spring. The flowers, held in profuse clusters, have 5 petals expanding to a flat plane. They appear alongside deep bronze-red leaves, creating a stunning contrast. As the season progresses, the serrated leaves turn mid-green, then orange and gold in fall. This splendid flowering cherry adds drama to the landscape as a single specimen or in avenue plantings.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Height	15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)
Spread	15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)

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 ‘Umineko’ (Japanese Flowering Cherry)

Prunus ‘Umineko’ is a small, upright deciduous tree boasting profuse, single, pure white flowers, 1.5 in. across (4 cm), hugging closely the branches in mid-spring. The flowers have large petals and showy pink stamens which become more conspicuous as the flowers age. Emerging pale green during the flowering, the leaves turn dark green before turning brilliant red and orange in fall. A compact and attractive spring flowering small tree that is tolerant of urban pollution.

Hardiness	6 - 8
Height	25' - 30' (7.6m - 9.1m)
Spread	10' - 12' (3m - 3.7m)

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 sargentii (Sargent’s Cherry)

Prunus sargentii, or Sargent’s Cherry, is a charming deciduous tree with ornamental qualities throughout the seasons. It blooms with clusters of lovely pink flowers in spring, followed by sour purple-black cherries. The serrate leaves mature to glossy dark green in summer and turn shades of orange, bronze, and red in fall. The tree’s mahogany-colored bark adds further visual appeal. Sargent’s Cherry is a graceful ornamental tree with an upright to rounded habit and lasting beauty.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Height	20' - 30' (6.1m - 9.1m)
Spread	20' - 30' (6.1m - 9.1m)

Prunus serrula (Tibetan Cherry)

Prunus serrula, also known as Tibetan Cherry, is prized for its multiseason interest and striking mahogany bark. The high-gloss, coppery-brown bark features large, dull lenticels, creating a unique texture. This small deciduous tree showcases a round-headed form with narrow, willow-like dark green leaves that turn golden-yellow in fall. In spring, clusters of tiny white flowers appear, followed by red berries in fall. With its slow growth, it thrives as a specimen tree on a large lawn, allowing its beautiful peeling bark to be admired during the winter months.

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

Prunus x yedoensis ‘Akebono’ (Yoshino Cherry)

A beloved flowering cherry tree, Prunus x yedoensis ‘Akebono’ (Yoshino Cherry) showcases abundant semi-double pink flowers in mid-spring. The fragrant blooms transition from pink to white, creating a stunning display. Its glossy green foliage turns golden-yellow in fall, revealing attractive bark. ‘Akebono’ is perfect for walkways and patio areas.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Height	25' - 35' (7.6m - 10.7m)
Spread	25' - 40' (7.6m - 12.2m)

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

Prunus x yedoensis ‘Shidare-Yoshino’ (Yoshino Cherry) is a stunning deciduous tree with graceful weeping branches. It bursts into bloom in early spring with abundant white flowers. The dark green leaves provide a lush summer canopy, turning beautiful shades of bronze and gold in fall. ‘Shidare-Yoshino’ is a fast-growing ornamental tree, perfect for creating an impressive focal point.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Height	20' - 25' (6.1m - 7.6m)
Spread	20' - 30' (6.1m - 9.1m)

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.

paylessimages / 123RF Stock Photo

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

Plant Type	Trees
Genus	Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	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
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

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