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Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis)

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After such a mild winter, many of the early flowering cherry trees burst into bloom this year even earlier than expected. Unfortunately, hard frosts in the middle of March spoiled much of their blossom. Varieties that flower slightly later, however, have fared better.

 

At the moment, Prunus x yedoensis is nearing the end of its flowering period which lasts for around three to four weeks. Its seasonal encore is even more ephemeral; pale petals fall to the ground, lying like pink snow for only a few days before being blown away without trace. It is a variety I mention often - one that I first came to know as a student at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.

Prunus x yedoensis, also known as the Yoshino Cherry, is grown widely throughout Japan, especially in and around Tokyo which was formerly known as Yedo. The exact origins of this cherry tree remain unknown as it has never been found growing in the wild. It was described by botanists in the early 1900s as being ‘remarkably distinct from all other Japanese or Chinese cherries and one of the most floriferous and beautiful of them’. After being introduced to the UK in large numbers from German nurseries around 1920, it soon became highly regarded for its prolific white or pink blossom.

It is the perfect tree for gardens where space is limited, reaching a height and spread of around 12m (40ft). Showing good tolerance to atmospheric pollution, it is also an ideal street tree for urban settings. Its habit can vary; although some trees marketed under this name are more upright and less spreading than others, an abundance of April flowers never fails to provide a spectacular display. Usually, blossom appears before the foliage is fully formed but it is most often borne on bare stems, further enhancing the impact of the flowers. By May, the tree is clad in green foliage, providing dappled shade for plants such as Turk’s-cap-lilies that are ideal for naturalising in grass beneath the canopy.

Ornamental, flowering cherries are tolerant of most types of moist, well-drained soil. Like most trees, they will not tolerate waterlogged conditions, especially during the winter months. Bare-root trees must be planted between late autumn and early spring, but pot-grown specimens can be planted at any time of year.

The bark of young, newly planted trees is particularly appealing to rabbits therefore tree guards are necessary if this is likely to be a problem. Much to my dismay, I discovered in the winter that geese are also fond of nibbling the bark of young cherry trees. From now on, whenever I plant a cherry tree where domestic geese are liable to be foraging, I will definitely protect the stem with a guard that reaches 90cm (3ft) up the stem.

I have enjoyed planting several Yoshino cherry trees in various gardens, knowing that within two or three years of becoming established, these specimens will provide so much pleasure at a time when we all look forward to spring blossom.