Prunus serrulata 'Kanzan' - Japanese Flowering Cherry

This is one of the most popular and hardiest ornamental cherry trees available. A vigorous deciduous small to medium-sized tree with an upright habit when young and wider canopy when older. In spring the tree is laden with large double, purplish-pink showy flowers shortly before the bronze foliage appears. Leaves are large, ovate to narrow-ovate, with margins toothed.

In autumn the dark green leaves turn bronzy orange before they fall. The bark has characteristic horizontal lenticels. As in case of other flowering cherry cultivars (known as ornamental cherries) the Kanzan has the stamens and pistils replaced by additional petals so flowers are sterile and do not bear fruit. It is therefore grown purely for its flowers and decorative value. As with all cherries any pruning or remedial work should be done in summer to reduce the risk of bacterial canker. A great tree for avenue planting or as a specimen tree planted in grass. It grows best in chalky soils and can widstand a partial shade. In maturity reaches a heigth of 8-10m and spread of 5-8m.

English names: Japanese Flowering Weeping Cherry, Kanzan Flowering Cherry, Sheraton Cherry Tree