Alphabetical Plant Listing

Prunus 'Shirotae' (Japanese Flowering Cherry)

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


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.

'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.

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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 Prunus - Flowering Trees
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m)
Spread 15' – 25' (4.5m – 7.5m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
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
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

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© Martin Ogden /www.teddingtongardener.com

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.


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 Prunus - Flowering Trees
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m)
Spread 15' – 25' (4.5m – 7.5m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
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
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Prunus - Flowering Trees

Guides with Prunus - Flowering Trees

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