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Prunus jamasakura
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Japanese mountain cherry

A wide-spreading tree with oblong, dark green leaves, bronzed in spring, red and yellow in autumn. In mid- to late spring bears a profusion of single, white, cup-shaped flowers in small clusters, followed by small, dark red, cherry-like fruit

Other common names
Japanese mountain cherry
Synonyms
Prunus serrulata var. spontanea
Prunus mutabilis
Size
Ultimate height
8–12 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 Bronze
Summer Green Red
Autumn Red Yellow
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–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

Correct

Plant range
Japan

How to grow

Cultivation

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

Propagation

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 1; prune in mid-summer to reduce risk of silver leaf infection

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars and leaf-mining moths

Diseases

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

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