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Prunus ‘Shirotae’ (Japanese Flowering Cherry)

Japanese Flowering Cherry 'Shirotae', Cherry 'Shirotae', Prunus 'Erecta', Prunus serrulata 'Kojima', Prunus 'Mount Fuji'

AGM Award
Prunus 'Shirotae',Japanese Flowering Cherry 'Shirotae', Cherry 'Shirotae', Prunus 'Erecta', Prunus serrulata 'Kojima', Prunus 'Mount Fuji', White flowers, Spring Flowers, Blossom Tree, Cherry blossom tree, Ornamental Cherry
Prunus 'Shirotae',Japanese Flowering Cherry 'Shirotae', Cherry 'Shirotae', Prunus 'Erecta', Prunus serrulata 'Kojima', Prunus 'Mount Fuji', White flowers, Spring Flowers, Blossom Tree, Cherry blossom tree, Ornamental Cherry
Prunus 'Shirotae',Japanese Flowering Cherry 'Shirotae', Cherry 'Shirotae', Prunus 'Erecta', Prunus serrulata 'Kojima', Prunus 'Mount Fuji', White flowers, Spring Flowers, Blossom Tree, Cherry blossom tree, Ornamental Cherry

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, beautiful, pure white, semi-double flowers, among the most 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 among the most gorgeous white-flowering cherries.

‘Shirotae’ refers to the name of white cloth in Japanese. This cultivar dates back to the beginning of the 19th century and was exported to Europe and North America as “Mount Fuji” in the early 20th century.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Grows up to 15-20 ft. in height (4-6 m) and 15-25 ft. wide (4-8 m).
  • Performs best in full sun in moist, relatively fertile, well-drained soils.
  • Perfect choice as a single specimen plant, lawns.
  • Prune in midsummer if silver leaf is a problem.
  • Watch for caterpillars, leaf-mining moths, bullfinches, silver leaf, bacterial canker, and blossom wilt.
  • Propagate by budding or grafting, although softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat can be successful.

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 8
Heat Zones 6 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree
Common names Cherry
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 15' - 20'
(4.6m - 6.1m)
Spread 15' - 25'
(4.6m - 7.6m)
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, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Prunus mume (Plum Blossom)
Prunus x cistena (Purple-Leaf Sand Cherry)
Prunus ilicifolia (Hollyleaf Cherry)
Prunus serotina (Black Cherry)
Prunus caroliniana (Carolina Cherry Laurel)
Prunus americana (American Plum)

Recommended Companion Plants

Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite)
Cyclamen hederifolium (Ivy-Leaved Cyclamen)
Crocus tommasinianus ‘Ruby Giant’ (Early Crocus)
Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop)

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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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 8
Heat Zones 6 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree
Common names Cherry
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 15' - 20'
(4.6m - 6.1m)
Spread 15' - 25'
(4.6m - 7.6m)
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, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Prunus (Cherry Tree)
Not sure which Prunus (Cherry Tree) to pick?
Compare Now

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