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Prunus serrulata (d)

Japanese cherry

A spreading, deciduous tree to 12m with smooth, chestnut-brown bark. Dark green, lance-shaped leaves up to 12cm long are bronze-tinted in spring and turn yellow or red in autumn. Produces semi-double, white or pink, cup-shaped flowers 3cm across in profusion in mid- to late spring, followed by small, very dark red to black, inedible fruit

Other common names
oriental cherry
Synonyms
Prunus serrulata 'Alboplena'

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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Bronze
Summer Green Black Red
Autumn Red Yellow
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus

Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist but well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers outdoors in autumn; or by softwood cuttings, with bottom heat, in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
Pruning

Pruning group 1, ideally in summer to reduce the risk of silver leaf infection

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus. High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa

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