Prunus shimidsu 'Sakura'

Michael's Opinion

The Japanese Cherry – Blushing Bride tree – is a graceful broad-spreading tree that grows to 5 m in height and width in 10 years. This majestic tree flowers in mid to late spring. The beautiful pink buds open to double light pink flowers, which fades to white later in the season. This tree is also beautiful in the autumn months when the leaves turn orange and red. This tree would be best suited as a feature tree when placed in ample space for it to reach it’s spreading potential. For those bird-lovers, this tree attracts many birds such as wood-pigeons, bellbirds, tuis, and wax eyes. This is a good pollinator tree since it is bee-friendly. Traditionally, the blossoms of these trees are carried by brides and decorate reception venues.

Botanical Information

FamilyRosaceae
GenusPrunus
Speciesshimidsu
Cultivar'Sakura'
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous)
OriginOriginally from Japan with documentation dating to 19th century.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer		The flowers can be pickled and used in Japanese rice cakes, candies and cookies.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone6 - 8
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone5
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH4 - H5
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)(-12) - (-6.5)
Temperature (°F)10 - 20
Height4 - 7 m
Spread4 - 8 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodMarch, April, May

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionAn elegant delicate blossoming tree that dangles down in large clusters of flowers that grow to 5 cm. The flowers open as a pink colour and fade into a white colour as the season continues. It is a small slow-growing tree that develops to 5 m in length.
ID CharacteristicElegant vase-shaped tree with pink clustering of flowers that turn to white. Leaves turn from pale bronze green to a darker green and then to an orange and red in the autumn. Tree grows to 5 m in height and width within 10 years.
ShapeRounded, wide spreading, and horizontal form tree growing to 5 m in height and 5 m in width with maturity.
LandscapePrunus shimidsu 'Sakura' is a lateral spaced tree where it can be in full sun to part sun in a well drained fertile soil. Very resilient to many site conditions, i.e., flower beds, streets and patios. Flowers are the best in full sun. Tree can be pruned to boost new growth.
PropagationCan be propagated by soft cuttings, needs to be pruned in the middle of summer to prevent diseases like silver leaf.
CultivationThis tree requires full to partial sun in a fertile soil that is moist but well drained. Soil must be clay, chalk or sand with a soil pH of natural, alkaline and acid. Tolerant in many site conditions and great for street trees and lawn species. It can also tolerate animals, pollution, heat and humidity.
PestsThis tree has many pests of concern, such as caterpillars, leaf mining moths, and bullfinches. Diseases that affect this tree are: silver leaf, bacterial canker, and blossom wilt, which occur very often and spread quickly.
Notable SpecimensThe Prunus shimidsu 'Sakura' can be located in Canada at the Royal Botanical Garden in Hamilton, Ontario.
HabitatThis tree grows natural in China, Japan and Korea.
Bark/Stem DescriptionSmooth and shiny red brown bark with spreading open branches.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionLight pink buds that open in mid to late spring to white flowers.
Leaf DescriptionLeaves are first a pale bronze green, maturing to a darker green and turning orange and red in autumn.
Flower DescriptionDouble pink flower that ages to white.
Colour DescriptionFoliage is mid green in the summer, turning red and orange in autumn. Flowers grow pink and bloom into a white as the season progresses.
Texture DescriptionFine.

Photographs