Prunus Serrulata Kanzan Flowering Cherry

Prunus serrulata Kanzan Flowering Cherry

Considered one of the most popular cultivars of Japanese Cherries, Prunus serrulata Kanzan, also known as Flowering Cherry or Japanese Cherry Kanzan, is a medium-sized deciduous tree, prized for its exceptional ornamental value and impressive hardiness. It is striking when in full bloom.  In the spring, before the foliage forms, pink double flowers unfold from crimson buds. The lush blossoms consist of as many as 25-50 petals each, and they are around 5 cm wide. As a double-flowered cultivar of Japanese Cherry, this ornamental tree will hold bloom for up to 2 weeks, which is two times longer than most other varieties. Not long after the flowers emerge, serrate, ovate leaves form on the stems, bronze-brown at first, turning bright green in summer, to gold and orange shades in the fall. The vivid, dense foliage makes Prunus serrulata Kanzan highly decorative well after the flowering season ends. 

Japanese Cherry Kanzan is relatively adaptable, but prefers moderately fertile, well-drained soil and full to partial sun. When mature, this vase-shaped tree with a spreading habit can grow to be 8 to 12 metres tall and over 8 metres wide. As with most Japanese Cherry varieties, Kanzan has an expected lifespan of around 25 years.

Fully hardy in the UK, Japanese Cherry Kanzan is also a recipient of the esteemed Award of Garden Merit of Royal Horticultural Society. Although sturdy and resistant to low winter temperatures, to minimize the risk of diseases, plant Japanese Cherry Kanzan in a sunny spot where the circulation of air is good, and the soil well-drained. 

The rich displays of pink blossoms might be what makes this tree stand out, but that is not its only attractive feature. The vivid foliage provides summer and autumn interest, and in the winter, the split-bark appearance of mature plants holds ornamental value. As such, Japanese Cherry Kanzan is ideal as a statement or single specimen plant. With its multiple season interest, this plant can be the focus of your garden or front yard throughout the whole year.

It can also be planted en masse along walks or paths, for a highly decorative flowering tree border. For shade in spring and summer, plant this Flowering Cherry near a patio or a sitting area, either directly in the garden or in a large container.