Japanese cherry 'Shirotae' - Prunus serrulata 'Shirotae' (Care, Characteristics, Flower, Images)

Japanese cherry 'Shirotae'

Also known as: Japanese flowering cherry 'Shirotae', Hill cherry 'Shirotae', Sakura '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.

Scientific classification

Roses, elms, figs, and allies

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Toxic to Pets

Toxicity

Perennial

Lifespan

3.5 m to 5 m

Spread

Winter dormancy

Dormancy

Deciduous

Leaf type

5 - 35 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Care Guide for Japanese cherry 'Shirotae'

Twice per week

Water

Full sun

Sunlight

5 - 35 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Garden Soil

Soil Type

Water: Japanese cherry 'Shirotae', native to temperate East Asia, thrives in moist conditions and prefers consistent watering, ideally twice per week, though it is moderately drought-tolerant once established. Increased hydration during the growing season enhances its impressive spring blossoms.

Fertilize: For optimal growth and blooms in japanese cherry 'Shirotae', use a balanced fertilizer in spring and a high-nitrogen formula in summer, applying every 4-6 weeks. Lighter feeding in fall and none in winter, with careful dosing to prevent root burn. Granules should be distributed at the drip line and watered well.

Pruning: Japanese cherry 'Shirotae' features beautiful flowers and weeping branches. Prune in early spring to remove dead or damaged wood and thin crowded branches. This promotes air circulation, prevents rubbing injuries, encourages better flowering, and controls size, enhancing japanese cherry 'Shirotae''s aesthetic appeal.

Propagation: The captivating japanese cherry 'Shirotae' thrives when propagated through cuttings from healthy semi-hardwood stems with multiple leaf nodes. Applying rooting hormone and planting in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil supports successful root development, while consistent moisture and warmth foster growth into a mature specimen.

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