Ideal for small gardens, award-winning Prunus 'Amanogawa' is a small, narrowly columnar deciduous tree boasting profuse, semi-double pale pink flowers hugging closely the erect branches in mid to late spring. Sweetly fragrant, the cherry blossoms stand upright at the side of the branches. Opening from pink buds, the large saucer-shaped blooms, almost 2 in. across (4.5 cm), count up to 6-15 petals. They fade to almost white as they mature and display a purplish pink heart just before shedding. Emerging bronze-green, the leaves turn to mid-green before turning red and orange in fall. Healthy, hardy, and easily propagated, it is a popular tree for very small gardens.

Worthy of a place in a small garden, Prunus 'Asano' is a beautiful chrysanthemum-flowered variety of cherry trees. Its abundant deep pink blossoms are small but packed with up to 100 narrow petals (!), giving them the look of a powder puff. Held in clusters, they create a terrific floral display in mid to late spring. Bronze as they emerge, the serrate, lanceolate leaves mature to dark green in summer, forming a dense canopy casting shade below. A graceful ornamental tree with an upright, columnar habit and ascending branches.

Regarded as one of the most ornamental of the flowering cherries, Prunus 'Kanzan' is a striking deciduous tree with several seasons of interest. In spring, it produces an amazing profusion of rich pink double flowers, 2.5 in. wide (6 cm), held in pendant clusters. They appear before the leaves unfold. Each blossom is packed with 20-30 petals. Since 'Kanzan' is sterile, they will not be followed by fruit. Reddish-copper as they emerge, the serrate, ovate leaves mature to dark green in summer, forming a dense canopy casting shade below. In fall, they turn various shades of orange and bronze before dropping. A graceful ornamental tree with an upright, vase-shaped habit, which can be planted in containers, along walks and streets, and also be used as a bonsai specimen.

A flowering cherry of great beauty, award-winning Prunus 'Shirofugen' is a small deciduous tree of vase-shaped habit with a flattened crown and gorgeous blossoms. Pink in buds, large fragrant double flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), counting up to 25-30 petals, open white with a tinge of pink on the reverse of the outer petals and then change again to deep pink before the shedding of the petals. Blooming in late spring, the blossoms are held gracefully in pendulous long-stalked clusters of 3-7 flowers, closely packed along the branches. Emerging coppery-red, the leaves turn bronze green and turn orange in fall. A healthy, vigorous ornamental cherry that has been prized by Western gardeners for over a century and 5 times that in Japan.

Ideal for small gardens, award-winning Prunus 'Shirotae' is a small deciduous tree with a remarkable spreading flat crown and slightly arching branches. In mid to late spring, it gets covered with abundant and beautiful, pure white, semi-double flowers, which are among the largest of the flowering cherries. Resembling rambling roses, the cup-shaped blossoms, 2 in. across (5 cm), count up to 5-11 petals, some with a faint pink tinge which fades to pure white as the blooms open. They exude a pleasant almond fragrance and contrast nicely with the foliage of pale green young leaves. As the season progresses, the ovate leaves turn dark green by summer before turning red and orange shades in the fall. Healthy, vigorous, and remarkably shaped with its branches gracefully dipping close to the ground, 'Shirotae' is one of the most gorgeous white-flowering cherries.

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.

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.

Weeping cherry trees make a terrific focal point in the landscape, with their black limbs holding up an umbrella-shaped crown of flowers. 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.

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.

Many Japanese flowering cherries are fragrant and exude a pleasing scent of crushed almond. Prunus 'Amanogawa' is reported by some as having a freesia fragrance. However, on cold and rainy days, their fragrance is barely perceptible, except for strongly scented cherries such as 'Amanogawa' or 'Jo-nioi'.

Although flowering cherry trees are typically planted for the majestic yet delicate beauty of their flowers, many varieties are noted for their multi-season interest.

Bark becomes an important ornamental element in winter when the shedding of leaves exposes trunks and branches and reveals its glory.

According to the Flower Association of Japan, there are over three hundred species, varieties, and hybrids of Japanese flowering cherries. These flowering cherries come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes and several are excellent additions to the garden. All are incredibly beautiful.