Yoshino Cherry Blossom
Prunus x yedoensis · Deciduous Tree (Dicot)
Plant Family
Rosaceae
Flower Category
Ornamental / Flowering Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Somei-Yoshino
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 5-8; moderate frost tolerance; sensitive to extreme heat and drought.
About This Flower
A graceful, spreading deciduous tree with a rounded crown. Flowers are single or semi-double, appearing in clusters (umbels) before leaves emerge. Blooms start as pink buds and open to delicate white or pale pink flowers.
Petal Characteristics
Five petals per bloom, ovate with a slight notch at the tip; color is white with a faint pink blush; smooth, paper-thin texture; arranged in a single whorl around prominent yellow-tipped stamens.
Fragrance Profile
Light, subtle fragrance; sweet and almond-like; strongest on warm, still spring afternoons.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Japan; native to East Asia, extensively cultivated in temperate regions worldwide.
Blooming Season
Spring (typically March to April); lasts 1-2 weeks; requires winter chilling (vernalization).
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun; moderate watering once established; prefers well-drained, acidic to neutral loamy soil.
Mature Size
Height: 30-40 feet; Spread: 30-40 feet; Bloom size: 1-1.5 inches in diameter.
Special Characteristics
Celebrated in Japanese Hanami festivals; short-lived (approx. 50 years); cultural symbol of renewal and ephemeral beauty; susceptible to some pests like aphids and scale.
Pollinator & Ecology
Attracts bees and butterflies with nectar and pollen; important early-spring food source for emerging pollinators; companion plants include spring bulbs like tulips and narcissus.