Woody > Prunus > Prunus Shimidsu > Prunus shimidsu 'Sakura'
Prunus Shimidsu
'Sakura'
Origin: Originally from Japan with documentation dating to 19th century.
Mike'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.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Rosaceae |
| Genus |
| Prunus |
| Species |
| Shimidsu |
| Cultivar |
| 'Sakura' |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (deciduous) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 6 - 8 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 5 |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H4 - H5 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| (-12) - (-6.5) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 10 - 20 |
| Height |
| 4 - 7 m |
| Spread |
| 4 - 8 m |
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| An 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. |
| Landscape |
| Prunus 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. |
| Cultivation |
| This 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. |
| Shape |
| Rounded, wide spreading, and horizontal form tree growing to 5 m in height and 5 m in width with maturity. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| Elegant 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. |
| Pests |
| This 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. |
| Habitat |
| This tree grows natural in China, Japan and Korea. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Smooth and shiny red brown bark with spreading open branches. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Light pink buds that open in mid to late spring to white flowers. |
| Leaf Description |
| Leaves are first a pale bronze green, maturing to a darker green and turning orange and red in autumn. |
| Flower Description |
| Double pink flower that ages to white. |
| Colour Description |
| Foliage 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 Description |
| Fine. |
| Notable Specimens |
| The Prunus shimidsu 'Sakura' can be located in Canada at the Royal Botanical Garden in Hamilton, Ontario. |
| Propagation |
| Can be propagated by soft cuttings, needs to be pruned in the middle of summer to prevent diseases like silver leaf. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| The flowers can be pickled and used in Japanese rice cakes, candies and cookies. |
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