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Prunus × yedoensis 'Somei-Yoshino'
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Yoshino cherry

A small, deciduous Japanese flowering cherry tree or shrub with broad-spreading branches and ovate leaves emerging a coppery-bronze colour in spring to contrast with the blossom, turning dark green then finally red-orange in the autumn. Large, single flowers are almond-scented, blush white or tinged pink with a darker centre, and appear prior to the foliage in spring, followed by shiny black fruits loved by birds. First cultivated in the early 20th Century, it is said to be the most widely-planted flowering cherry tree in Japan

Other common names
Japanese flowering cherry
Potomac cherry
see moreTokyo cherry
Synonyms
Prunus 'Yoshino'
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Pink Bronze
Summer Green
Autumn Red Orange
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Dislikes heavy, wet soils. Tolerant of pollution. May require staking. See tree cultivation and staking trees for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

Pruning group 1. Prune in mid-summer if silver leaf is a problem

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars, leaf-mining moths, cherry blackfly and bullfinches

Diseases

May be susceptible to peach leaf curl, cherry leaf scorch, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus

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