Prunus x yedoensis Tree

The flowers of Prunus x yedoensis that emerge in March-April are white, sometimes flushed with blush pink and have a delicate, slight bowl shape to them. They form in a cloud of well packed clusters with a subtle, almond-like scent and are also favoured by bees. The Yoshino cherry tree produces small fruits later in the year that are popular with birds, including robins and thrushes.

Bronzed new foliage turns dark-green for summer before adopting fiery, vibrant autumn colours later in the season. With arching slender branches, this wide spreading but relatively small Cherry Blossom tree reaches a height and spread of around 5 x 5 metres in 20 years. Tolerant of pollution, Yoshino cherry will also grow well in most soils except extremes.

The Yoshino Cherry was cultivated for centuries in Yoshino, Japan, before being introduced to Europe and America in 1902 and is now one of the most popular flowering cherry trees worldwide. It is also a great choice for wildlife and has been recognised by the RHS as being an excellent pollinator.

AKA Yoshino Cherry tree, Tokyo Cherry tree, Japanese Flowering Cherry

• Common name: Yoshino Cherry tree
• Latin name: Prunus x yedoensis
• Height and spread in 20 years: 5 x 5 metres
• Environmental benefits: Good for pollinators, food for birds
• Seasons of interest: Spring, Autumn
• Flowers: White/blush bowl shaped flowers in spring
• Foliage: Bronze new leaves mature to green, turning fiery colours in autumn
• Soil: Suited to all but wet or shallow chalky soils

Planting Advice for Prunus x yedoensis Trees

Pot grown Yoshino Cherry trees can be planted at any time of year, whereas bare roots can be planted November-March. Choose a location away from strong winds to protect the blossom, then remove weeds and grass within a metre of the site. 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 planting 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 Yedoensis 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 x yedoensis Trees

Water Yoshino Cherry Blossom 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 aid establishment.

Once planted, 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 x yedoensis Trees

Although it is possible to leave your Yoshino 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.