Yoshino Flowering Cherry Tree

Clouds of blush-white blossoms every spring, brilliant fall color, and an elegant vase-shaped canopy year-round — the Yoshino is the world's most beloved flowering cherry.

The Yoshino Flowering Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) is the tree that lines the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. and draws millions of visitors every spring — and now it can do the same thing in your yard. In early spring, before the leaves emerge, the entire canopy erupts in soft blush-white to pale pink single flowers that create a breathtaking, cloud-like display. The fragrance is light and sweet. The effect is unforgettable. After bloom, glossy green leaves provide clean summer shade, then turn brilliant orange and red in fall before dropping to reveal the graceful, spreading branch structure that makes this tree beautiful even in winter.

What I love about it

The Yoshino is the flowering tree that earns its spot in the landscape every single season. The spring bloom is the main event — generous, fragrant, and genuinely spectacular — but the tree delivers year-round. It grows at a moderate to fast pace, adapts to a wide range of soils, and is more heat-tolerant than many ornamental cherries. Plant it as a specimen where it can be seen from inside the house, along a driveway, or as a pair flanking an entry. Give it room to spread and it will reward you with decades of spring magic.

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: 20–30 ft tall, 20–25 ft wide (broad vase shape)
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
• Bloom Time: Early spring (March–April); single flowers
• Flower Color: Blush-white to pale pink; lightly fragrant
• Fall Color: Orange to red
• Growing Zone: 5–8

Bloom bold. Be cheeky.