Prunus serrulata Kanzan - Japanese Cherry

Prunus serrulata 'Kanzan' or Japanese flowering cherry tree is an upright tree that spreads once mature. In spring, this Japanese cherry tree offers abundant and spectacular flowering. Its branches are covered with intense red buds that open into double raspberry pink flowers. Its foliage, bronze during budburst, green in summer, takes on beautiful yellow-orange tones in autumn.

Prunus serrulata, belonging to the large Rosaceae family, is a small tree with a dense canopy and thin bark, native to Asia, specifically Japan, Korea, and China. It is also known as the Japanese cherry tree, Hill cherry tree, Japanese flowering cherry tree, or Oriental cherry tree. The cultivar 'Kanzan' is a horticultural selection.

Prunus serrulata 'Kanzan' has an upright habit that spreads once mature and reaches up to seven metres in height at maturity with a width of four metres. In spring, the flowering offers a remarkable spectacle, with branches covered in intense red buds that open into double flowers grouped in pairs to five and measuring five to six centimetres in diameter. They are a vibrant raspberry pink colour that lightens as they unfold. After flowering, the 'Kanzan' cherry tree is adorned with leaves eight to twelve centimetres long. Initially bronze in colour, they turn medium green in summer and become red-orange in autumn. It is a hardy tree.

The Japanese cherry tree is planted in spring or autumn, depending on the climate. It thrives in full sun in any light, well-draining soil, sandy or even rocky, but not too dry. It tolerates the presence of limestone in the soil. Water during dry and hot weather. Avoid locations exposed to cold winds for more abundant and long-lasting flowering.

This decorative tree will find its place as a standalone or in a bed, positioned behind spring bulbs, perennials, or small bushes with staggered flowering. To adorn its base, you can plant, for example, silver basket, forget-me-nots, discreet and charming plants that will not overshadow its splendour. You could also consider planting a small pink clematis to brighten its foliage in summer (Clematis 'Little Mermaid', Success Candy, 'Josephine').