How to Grow and Care for Japanese cherry

Japanese cherry, also known as Sakura, Japanese flowering cherry, Oriental cherry, East asian cherry, Cherry blossom

Japanese cherry require attention to soil, watering, and pruning for optimal growth. They thrive in well-draining soil, prefer consistent moisture without waterlogging, and demand careful pruning to maintain shape and health. Special care includes monitoring for pests/diseases and protecting against harsh winter conditions.

Watering schedule: Every 1-2 weeks

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

Toxic to Human & Pets

In This Article

Planting and Growing Japanese cherry

Toughness	High
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Moderate
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every 1-2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	6-7
Planting Time	Spring, Fall
Hardiness Zones	5-10
Toxicity	Toxic to Human & Pets

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Varieties of Japanese cherry

Japanese cherry 'Snow Fountains'

Japanese cherry 'Snow Fountains' is a small, compact tree with a weeping habit that is covered with an abundance of snow-white flowers. It is a cultivar of Prunus serrulata, introduced in 1985 by Lake County Nursery in Perry, Ohio. The cultivar is named for its fountain shape and white blooms. It makes a stunning display planted as an ornamental tree in a garden.

Prunus serrulata 'Beni‐shigure'

Prunus serrulata 'Beni‐shigure' is a captivating ornamental cherry tree known for its vibrant, deep-pink blossoms that burst into life each spring. The flowers' rich hue is beautifully contrasted by the glossy, finely-toothed leaves that follow. A compact growth habit makes prunus serrulata 'Beni‐shigure' a perfect focal point in smaller gardens, where it thrives in well-drained soil, basking in full sun to light shade. Its seasonal beauty reflects the tree's resilience and adaptability, enduring through chill and bloom.

Japanese cherry 'Shirotae'

A winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit, japanese cherry 'Shirotae' is renowned for its profuse number of pure white, semidouble blooms. Sweetly fragrant and compact in size, this variant was cultivated as a hybrid and named after a Japanese white cloth. Japanese cherry 'Shirotae' is beloved for its abundance of flowers, ease of care, and manageable size.

Cherry 'Taihaku'

Cherry 'Taihaku' boasts an extravagant spring display with large, pure white flowers. These blossoms contrast stunningly with its dark, glossy foliage. Hardy and adaptable, cherry 'Taihaku' peaks in a temperate climate and thrives best in full sun to partial shade. Its spreading branches and iconic cherry blossoms make it a striking ornamental highlight in any landscape.

Japanese cherry 'Taihaku'

Japanese cherry 'Taihaku' offers spectacular cherry blossoms that open from pink buds and become snow-white from mid to late spring. The 5-petaled flowers emerge together with the red-bronze leaves. This is a cultivar of Prunus serrulata. The word Taihaku is Japanese and means ‘Great White.' Gardeners favor this cultivar for its ornamental appeal.

Common Pests & Diseases

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The Toxicity of Japanese cherry

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More General Info About Japanese cherry

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Japanese cherry is a flowering tree, reaching heights of 15 to 25 feet (4.5 to 7.6 meters) with a crown as wide, forming a vase-like or horizontally spreading shape. Its bark is smooth, thin, and reddish-brown, featuring distinct horizontal lenticels. The branches bear alternate, simple leaves that are lanceolate to ovate with serrated edges, presenting a dark green upper surface and a lighter underside. In spring, japanese cherry produces profuse double white flowers in clusters, each blossom being part of a trio or a quintet. By late summer, it yields small, round, black drupes.