Flowering Cherry Tree Varieties

Autumn Blooming Higan Cherry

• Autumn blooming higan cherry (Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis') is a deciduous flowering cherry that grows to a mature height of 20 to 40 feet with a 15- to 30-foot spread. The tree has an upright, wide-spreading growth habit and develops a round crown. Autumn blooming higan cherry often blooms in the winter in warmer areas or early spring in others with soft pink single to semi-double flowers that become white as they mature. The autumn blooming higan cherry is cited by the North Carolina State University Extension as the most heat, cold and stress tolerant of the flowering cherry trees. Grow them in areas of sun or partial shade in well-drained, moist soil.

Japanese Cherry

• Japanese cherry (Prunus serrulata) is a deciduous tree with a moderate growth rate, growing to a mature height of 15 to 25 feet with an equal spread. The tree blooms with white flowers in May and has 2- to 5-inch-long alternate foliage that develops bronze and red shades in the fall. Japanese cherry is vase- to round-shaped and has spreading branches. The tree grows best in areas of sun to partial shade and in moist, well-drained soil. Japanese cherry has reddish mahogany colored bark and is medium textured. The tree rarely produces any fruit.

Sargent Cherry

• Sargent cherry (Prunus sargentii) is a rapid growing flowering cherry variety and grows best in areas of full sun and in well-drained soil. The tree has high tolerance for wind but is not hardy to air pollution. Sargent cherry grows to a mature height of 20 to 40 feet with an equal spread and blooms with 1- to 1 ½-inch single, pink flowers on 1-inch branches during spring. The tree foliage is shiny and dark green and takes on orange, red and yellow hues during fall. Sargent cherry is simple to transplant and is also often used as a street tree, given its dense shade.