Prunus ‘Asano’ (Japanese Flowering Cherry)

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.

Introduced in 1929 from Japan, ‘Asano’ is named after the hero of the historical tragedy of the 47 Ronins, the Japanese warrior Naganori Asano (1665-1701), famous for committing hari kari by ripping his abdomen after a confrontation at court. He was followed by his 47 retainers who killed themselves in a similar fashion after exacting revenge.

• Typically reaches 20 ft. in height and spread (6 m).
• Performs best in full sun or light shade in moist, fertile, well-drained, sandy, or clay loams. Tolerates heat and humidity, and dry soils once established.
• Perfect choice as a single specimen plant, lawns.
• Susceptible to many insect and disease pests.
• Prune in midsummer if silver leaf is an issue
• Propagate by chip budding or grafting, although softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat can be successful