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

One of the most popular flowering cherry trees grown in Japan, Prunus x yedoensis ‘Somei Yoshino’ (Yoshino Cherry) is a small deciduous tree of great beauty. Blooming in early or mid-spring for 2 to 3 weeks, its bare branches are smothered with generous clusters of slightly almond-scented, single, pale pink flowers which fade to white as they age. They give way to small, shiny, black fruits quickly devoured by birds. As the flowers wane, the ovate and dark green leaves emerge, creating a fresh summer canopy. Easy to grow and dramatic looking with all the flowers coming out and falling at once. ‘Somei Yoshino’ has been widely exported from Japan and planted extensively in places like Washington, D.C.’s Tidal Basin (Potomac Park).

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Typically grows with broad-spreading branches and reaches 30 ft. in height and spread (9 m).
• Performs best in full sun in moist, relatively fertile, well-drained soils. This cherry tree is not tolerant of heavy clay soils with poor drainage.
• Perfect choice as a single specimen plant, lawns.
• Prune in midsummer if the 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.