Kwanzan Flowering Cherry Tree

The most spectacular flowering cherry you can grow — massive double-petaled blooms in deep pink that turn every spring into an event.

The Kwanzan Flowering Cherry (Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan') is the showiest of all ornamental cherries. Where most flowering trees offer single blooms, Kwanzan delivers enormous, fully double flowers — each one a dense, ruffled pompom of 30+ petals in a rich, deep rose-pink. They emerge in mid-spring in massive clusters that completely cover the branches before the leaves even open, creating a breathtaking canopy of color that stops traffic and makes the whole neighborhood jealous.

What I love about it

Kwanzan is the cherry tree that makes spring feel like a celebration. The bloom is generous, long-lasting, and genuinely dramatic — not a subtle blush but a full, saturated deep pink that reads from across the street. After the flowers fade, bronzy-green new foliage emerges with its own ornamental appeal, turning glossy green through summer and then brilliant orange-red in fall. The vase-shaped canopy adds architectural structure year-round. Plant it where it can be seen from inside the house and you'll look forward to April all year long.

Plant Care Tips

• ☀️ Light: Full sun — 6–8 hours daily for best blooming
• 💧 Water: Water deeply weekly until established; moderate water needs once mature
• 🌡️ Temperature: Hardy to -20°F (Zone 5)
• 🪴 Difficulty: Easy — low-maintenance once established
• 🐾 Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs — bark, leaves, and seeds contain cyanogenic compounds
• ✂️ Pruning: Prune lightly after bloom; avoid heavy pruning

Plant Specs

• Mature Size: 15–25 ft tall, 15–25 ft wide (vase-shaped canopy)
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Bloom Time: Mid-spring (April–May); fully double flowers
• Flower Color: Deep rose-pink; 30+ petals per bloom
• Fall Color: Brilliant orange-red
• Growing Zone: 5–8

Bloom bold. Be cheeky.