Its Cherry Blossom time, a firework display of flowering trees for a few short weeks is Spring.
The national flower of Japan, the cherry blossom – or Sakura, represents a time of renewal and optimism. Blossom viewing season, Hanami, is celebrated nationally and the Japan Meteorological Agency issue a full-bloom forecast, which follows the blooming as it starts from the south and spreads across the country
‘Flowering Cherry‘ or ‘Japanese Flowering Cherry‘ refers to 7 species of deciduous Prunus (P.campanulata, P.incisa, P.jamasakura, P.serrulata, P.sargentii, P.spachiana & P.speciosa) with over 300 recognised varieties & hybrids.
Divided into 4 groups based on the number of petals on each flower:-
- Single <10 petals (usually 5)
- Semi Double 10-20 petals
- Doubles 25-50 petals
- Chrysanthemum >100 petals
They come in a wide variety of sizes and there is one suitable for most gardens……So if you’ve always wanted one but thought you don’t have the space….read on.
Large Gardens/Parks
Arguably the most famous flowering cherry is Prunus x yedoensis ‘Somei-yoshino’ (Yoshino Cherry). Growing up to 12m tall with a spread of 8m, its a deciduous tree only really suitable for large spaces.
Famed for its pure and delicate form, with 5 white petals per flower.
Now planted widely in Japan, its believed to have originated from one plant in Somei, a village at the centre of ornamental horticulture in 19th Century Edo (now Tokyo). Latest DNA fingerprinting identifies it as a hybrid of P.speciosa (Paternal) & P.spachiana (Maternal).
Medium sized gardens
Prunus ‘Accolade’. (Hybrid of ‘Spring cherry’ P.subhirtella & ‘Sargent’s cherry’ P.sargentii). Up to 7m tall. Profuse semi-double pink flower, 4cm across, borne in abundance along bare branches. Has beautiful dark red bark for winter interest.
Small Gardens
Prunus ‘Shogetsu’, (Blushing Bride), a P.serrulata cultivar. Up to 5m tall with a spreading habit. Double flowers in hanging in clusters of 3-6 blooms up to 15cm long. Pink in bud opening to pure white.
Not got enough space, then grow in a pot
Prunus incisa ‘Kojo-no-mai’. Slow growing up to 2m tall, with ‘zig-zag‘ branches and masses of small single flowers 1.5cm wide. As flowers fade, pale green leaves emerge fading to brilliant colour in the Autumn. Here’s my very young plant….
Its not all about the flowers though…….some varieties they have very attractive bark.
Prunus serrula (Tibetan or Paperbark Cherry). Whilst not strictly a ‘Flowering Cherry’, its a large tree 9m tall, with coppery gloss bark, banded with large lenticels (breathing pores). Produces single white flowers.
Which ever Flowering Cherry you choose, they all have some basic requirements:-
- Plant in full sun with good air flow. Tolerant of most soil types.
- Can be susceptible to fungal and insect disease problems. Good airflow and light will minimise problems.
- Minimal care is required. Only prune to remove dead or diseased wood. If thinning out required, prune after flowering in summer when risk of fungal disease is less.
Did you know : The Cherry Blossom capital……is not in Japan. It’s in a town called Macon in the state of Georgia, America. In 1952 a local resident discovered one Yoshino cherry tree and loved it so much that he learned to propogate the trees and gifted them to his community. Macon now has over 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees flowering at their annual blossom festival.