Prunus 'Shirofugen' Tree

One of the prettiest Japanese Flowering Cherry trees, Prunus 'Shirofugen' is popular for its long lasting display of large, double, blousy flowers. The blossom appears in April-May and can adorn the branches into early June. Big, white/blush blooms that hang in clusters from long stalks covering the branches open from pink buds and then change to purplish-pink as they fade.

The flowers of this Japanese cherry blossom tree look striking against bronzed young foliage that develops to mid-green and then provides a good display of orange and red in the autumn. Tolerant of pollution, this tree is ideal for urban areas and will grow in most well-draining soils if shallow chalk is avoided. Prunus 'Shirofugen' is a small, widely spreading ornamental tree that will grow to 6 x 6 metres in 20 years. Its oriental-style, spreading shape and beautiful blossoms make it an impressive feature tree.

AKA Prunus 'Fugenzo' (old name), Japanese Cherry Blossom tree

• Common name: Flowering Cherry 'Shirofugen'
• Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit
• Height and spread in 20 years: 6 x 6 metres
• Seasons of interest: Spring, Autumn
• Flowers: Large pink double flowers in spring
• Foliage: Bronze new leaves mature to green, orange/red in autumn
• Soil: Suited to most soils except any extremes

Planting Advice for Prunus Shirofugen Trees

Our Shirofugen Cherry Blossom trees are pot grown so can be planted at any time of year and are best planted away from strong winds to protect the blossom. Remove surrounding weeds and grass, then dig a square hole as deep as the root mass and twice as wide. To help the tree establish, sprinkle root grow in the hole.

Remove the pot, gently loosen the roots and place into the hole. Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost, fill in the hole and firm around gently. Avoid banking the soil up around the collar of the tree.

We recommend planting Flowering Cherry trees (except multi-stem forms) with a stake and tie kit to ensure the roots are well anchored - instructions are in the planting guide. Finish by watering generously around the base.

After Care Advice for Prunus Shirofugen Trees

Water Shirofugen Cherry trees well and regularly through the first spring and summer, increasing in periods of hot or dry weather. In autumn, you may only need to water a little. Our irrigation kits Irrigation kits aid establishment.

Continue to keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons. If your area is prone to rabbits, use a rabbit guard.

Pruning Advice for Prunus Shirofugen Trees

Although it is possible to leave your Japanese Flowering Cherry tree to its own devices, if you prune it for the first few years it will create a more balanced branch framework. Prune after flowering i.e. after the petals have dropped but before the new shoot growth appears.

After two to three years, you will only need to remove any damaged or unwanted branches. The formative pruning previously carried out will have led to a healthier tree less likely to need this though.

Delivery Costs

*Free delivery promotion excludes mature trees, extra large kits and delivery to Highlands or Islands. Discount applies at checkout.

Delivery Times

Next Day Despatch
We will always try to get your plants to you as quickly as possible.  For many of our trees and plants, if you order today we will despatch your order within 24 hours.  We are constantly adding to our range of next day plants, and we do not add a surcharge for this service. Click here to see our next day delivery plants.

Standard Delivery
We have one of the widest range of trees in the UK, and for those plants which we cannot despatch next day we will normally despatch within 4 weeks. The despatch time for different products will be confirmed when products are added to your shopping basket

Pre-orders
We will only want to deliver your orders when they are perfect for planting! Depending on the season and how well the plants are growing, we will give our best estimates of the despatch dates for pre-orders.  These dates may vary and by species and while we will always try to deliver within these timeframes if the expected despatch does change then we will notify you by email.

Special Orders
Orders containing pleached or mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) are delivered within 3 weeks. They require specialist delivery and are grouped geographically. Any customers ordering pleached or mature trees will be contacted and notified of their delivery date.

If your trees are required by a specific date, please let us know as soon as possible; while we can’t offer any guarantees we will always do our best to accommodate you. You can leave instructions in the notes field on the Delivery Page of the Checkout or send us an email at [email protected].

Please note that orders are shipped once all the trees in the order are ready.

Collections
Collections are by appointment only at our West Yorkshire-based nursery. If you would like to place an order for collection, please get in touch before placing your order. You will not be charged a delivery cost for a collection and any delivery cost that has been applied will be refunded.

The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. *Pot sizes may vary. Below are definitions of terms:

Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.

Single Stem tree: Classic tree with one trunk, pruned for a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted tree: A height next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Ideal for small spaces.

Feathered tree: Branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Multi Stem tree: Two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Clump: Several plants in one pot that give the appearance of a bushy multi stem tree.

Climber: Naturally climbing plant. Usually delivered running up a cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height.