Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata
Japanese flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Rosaceae family. It grows 6–10 m (20–33 ft) tall and 5–9 m (16–30 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
Plan Japanese flowering cherry in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Japanese flowering cherry at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–9 m (16–30 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇨🇳 China, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇰🇷 South Korea |
Is Japanese flowering cherry toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: seeds, leaves, bark
Seeds, leaves and bark contain cyanogenic glycosides that release cyanide when eaten.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Japanese flowering cherry
Good neighbours
- good With Garlic chives: Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal. Evidence D
See Japanese flowering cherry in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (2 plants)
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (13 plants)
- China National Botanical Garden (3 plants)
- Missouri Botanical Garden (1 plants)
- Monet’s gardens at Giverny (4 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (1 plants)
Questions about Japanese flowering cherry
- How far apart should I plant Japanese flowering cherry?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–9 m (16–30 ft).
- Does Japanese flowering cherry need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Japanese flowering cherry need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Japanese flowering cherry?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Japanese flowering cherry flower?
- From about April for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Japanese flowering cherry poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Seeds, leaves and bark contain cyanogenic glycosides that release cyanide when eaten.
- What grows well with Japanese flowering cherry?
- Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Ornamental cherry; fruit is not grown for eating.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Garden rose Rosa x hybrida
- Pear Pyrus communis