Cherry, Flowering Kwanzan Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan' Height: 30 feet Spread: 20 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 5a Other Names: Oriental Cherry, Japanese Cherry Description: The most popular of the Japanese cherries, this outstanding selection is covered in showy double pink flowers in early spring before the leaves; stunning red bark, good fall color, very shapely; needs full sun and well-drained soil Ornamental Features Cherry, Flowering Kwanzan is bathed in stunning clusters of rose flowers along the branches in early spring, which emerge from distinctive cherry red flower buds before the leaves. It has dark green deciduous foliage which emerges coppery-bronze in spring. The serrated pointy leaves turn an outstanding orange in the fall. The smooth dark red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape. Landscape Attributes Cherry, Flowering Kwanzan is a deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds and bees to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics. Cherry, Flowering Kwanzan is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Cherry, Flowering Kwanzan will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a high canopy of foliage that sits well above the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more. This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. This plant should be periodically fertilized throughout the active growing season with a specially-formulated acidic fertilizer. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. Special Attributes The flowering cherry trees flower before they leaf out. generally don't produce fruit because the frost kills the blooms, but if they do fruit they would be a few 1/4 inch purple cherries mostly the pit.
