Prunus - Ornamental Cherry

Experience the magic of ornamental cherries right on your doorstep. From the majestic clove cherry to the space-saving columnar ornamental cherry – we show you how you can bring incredible floral artistry to any outdoor space. The ornamental cherry (Prunus) is much more than just a tree. It marks the festive beginning of spring. While other plants are still hibernating, ornamental cherries explode in a cloud of white and pink.

Your advantages at a glance:

  • Breathtaking blossoms: Unsurpassed aesthetics in April and May.
  • Easy to care for: Once established, ornamental cherry trees require little support. Diversity: Perfect varieties for large parks or small front gardens.
  • Ecological value: Important primary food source for bees and insects.

Specifications:

Origin:
Europe, especially Asia
Habit:
Depending on the variety, 2 m (dwarf forms) to 10–12 m (e.g. “Kanzan”), funnel-shaped, columnar (e.g. “Amanogawa”) or hanging 
Flower:
White, light pink to deep purple-pink; single or double, mainly April to May (spring bloomer)
Fruit:
Mostly sterile (no fruit) or very small, inedible stone fruit
Leaves:
Deciduous; often magnificent shades of yellow, orange or red in autumn
Roots:
Predominantly heart-rooted, the roots often grow very close to the surface and spread widely (often beyond the diameter of the crown), strong secondary thickness growth
Demands:
Full sun to light partial shade (sun promotes flowering), pruning usually only necessary for shaping
Soil:
Deep, nutrient-rich, rather calcareous; no waterlogging
Hardiness:
Very good (hardy to approx. -20°C)

Prunus - Ornamental cherries

Red-leaved ornamental cherries 


Professional tips

To ensure that your ornamental cherry tree thrives, you should understand its root system. As heart-rooted trees, they need loose, nutrient-rich soil without waterlogging. 

  • Do not plant ornamental cherry trees too close to paved paths. The roots close to the surface can lift slabs over time – give the tree at least 2-3 metres of space from paved areas.
  • The ideal location: Light: full sun (the more sun, the more flowers). 
  • Soil: well-drained and calcareous. Time: The best time to plant is autumn or early spring.

Tabular overview

Japanese ornamental cherry tree

VarietyFlower colourFillingSprouting
'Amanogawa'Light pink to almost whiteSemi-doubleyellow-
brown
'Kazan'deep-pinkfilledbronze-
red
'Kiku-shidare-zakura'dark-pinkfilledbronze-
green
'Pink Perfection'Buds karmin,
then silvery pink
simplebronze-
green
'Shimidsu'Buds pink,
then white
semi-filledyellow-
green
'Shirofugen'Buds pink,
then white, later pink
filledbronze-
red
'Shirotae'white, large, fragrancefilled an simplelight-green

Prunus subhirtella - Snow cherry

VarietyFlower colourFlowering timeSize in metres
'Autumnalis'Bud pink, open white
semi-double
End of October and March/AprilHeight 3-5
Width 3-5
'Autumnalis Rosea'Bud deep pink, opened
light pink, semi-double
End of October and March/AprilHeight 3-5
Width 3-5
'Fukubana'Bud deep pink, opened
light pink, semi- to fully double
Beginning of AprilHeight 2-4 (6)
Width2-4
'Pendula'Buds carmine pink,
open light pink
Mid AprilHeight 3-4 (5)
Width2-3
'Okame'Dark pink to carmine red,
single, profusely flowering
March to AprilHeight 2-3,5
Width2-2,5

Our Ornamental cherries

Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula'
3 to 4 m
2 to 3 m
April to May
6
Prunus avium
Gean, Mazzard, Wild Cherry
15 to 20 m
8 to 12 m
April to May
5
Prunus serrulata 'Pink Perfection'
6 to 8 m
3 to 5 m
April to May
6
Prunus 'Accolade'
Flowering Cherry 'Accolade'
5 to 8 m
3 to 5 m
April to May
6
Tip
Prunus serrulata 'Shirofugen'
5 to 7 m
4 to 5 m
May to June
6
Prunus subhirtella 'Fukubana'
2 to 4 m
2 to 4 m
March to April
6
Prunus triloba
1 to 3 m
1 to 2 m
April to May
5
Prunus serrulata 'Shirotae'
4 to 6 m
8 to 10 m
April to May
Tip
Prunus serrulata 'Shirofugen'
5 to 7 m
4 to 5 m
May to June
6
Prunus padus
Bird Cherry
3 to 10 m
4 to 8 m
April to May
3
Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula'
3 to 4 m
2 to 3 m
April to May
6
Prunus sargentii
5 to 12 m
4 to 8 m
April to May
6
Prunus 'Okame'
2 m
2 m
March to April
Prunus mahaleb
St Lucy Cherry
3 to 6 m
6 to 8 m
April to May
5
Tip
Prunus avium 'Plena'
Double Gean
7 to 12 m
4 to 6 m
March to May
5
Tip

Impressions

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant?
The ideal time to plant an ornamental cherry tree is in autumn (October/November) or early spring. This gives the tree enough time to take root before the heat of summer or deep frost arrives.


Can you eat the fruit of the ornamental cherry tree?
Most ornamental cherries produce only very small, stony fruits.
Taste: They are often sour or bitter and have hardly any flesh.
Toxicity: They are not poisonous, but simply not enjoyable to eat. Birds, however, love them!


How long does an ornamental cherry tree bloom?
Unfortunately, the window of opportunity is short but intense. Depending on the variety and weather conditions, they bloom for around 10 to 14 days. In cool weather, their splendour lasts longer; if it suddenly becomes very hot, they fade more quickly. Unfortunately, the window of opportunity is short but intense. Depending on the variety and weather conditions, they bloom for about 10 to 14 days. In cool weather, their splendour lasts longer; if it suddenly becomes very hot, they fade more quickly.  


Do I need to prune my ornamental cherry tree?  
Ornamental cherries require little pruning. They naturally grow into a beautiful shape. Important: Heavy pruning into old wood is often poorly tolerated. Tip: If you need to prune, do so immediately after flowering. Only remove dead wood or branches that grow inwards.


Can ornamental cherries be grown in pots?  
Yes, it is possible, but not with every variety. Since ornamental cherries actually grow into stately trees, you will need to look specifically for dwarf varieties (e.g. Prunus kurilensis “Brilliant” or Prunus incisa “Kojo-no-mai”).
The pot: It should hold at least 40–50 litres and have good drainage.
Care: The soil dries out much faster in a pot than in the garden. So you need to water regularly, even on frost-free days in winter.
Fertilising: Feed with liquid fertiliser every two weeks from March to August to prevent the tree from running out of steam in a limited space.

Do you have any questions?

We will be happy to advise you!

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