Flowering Cherry Prunus 'Matsumae-fuki'

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

The Prunus 'Matsumae-fuki' is a flowering cherry tree known for its ornamental qualities. It is cherished for its stunning flowers which are relatively large and showy, making it a popular choice in many gardens and landscapes. The blossoms are often double-flowered, meaning that they have more petals than the typical cherry blossom. In terms of color, the flowers typically exhibit a range of hues from pinks to whites, often with a gradient of color or a flush of pink at the tips of the petals that fades to white closer to the center. The foliage of the 'Matsumae-fuki' is also quite attractive, with leaves that are lush green, giving the tree a full and vibrant look during the growing season. As with many cherry tree varieties, the leaves may change color as the seasons transition, adding an additional layer of visual interest. The overall form of this cherry tree is gracefully spreading, with branches that create an appealing, rounded shape. This habit contributes to its use as a statement or specimen plant in landscape design. The bark of the 'Matsumae-fuki' is another feature of note, typically exhibiting a smooth texture and sometimes exfoliating in thin layers, adding to the tree's year-round interest. Overall, the Prunus 'Matsumae-fuki' is a beautifully ornate plant with attention-grabbing flowers and a robust display of foliage that complements many garden settings. Its seasonal changes provide a dynamic element to its appearance, making it a cherished choice for those looking to enhance their outdoor space with a touch of nature's elegance.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Rosaceae.
- Synonyms
  Matsumae Cherry, Fuki Cherry.
- Common names
  Prunus 'Matsumae-fuki'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The plant Prunus 'Matsumae-fuki', more commonly known as a cultivar of flowering cherry or Japanese cherry, is not typically known for its toxicity to humans when touched or handled. However, like many members of the genus Prunus, the seeds, leaves, and stems of the plant contain cyanogenic glycosides, particularly amygdalin, which can release cyanide when ingested in large quantities. The edible parts, such as the fruit flesh, are generally safe to eat, but the ingestion of substantial amounts of the pits, leaves, or stems can lead to symptoms of cyanide poisoning. This can include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, dizziness, and weakness. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to respiratory failure and even death. It is important to only consume the fruit flesh and avoid the other parts of the plant.
- To pets
  The Prunus 'Matsumae-fuki', commonly referred to as flowering cherry or Japanese cherry, contains components that can be toxic to pets if ingested, specifically the leaves, stems, and seeds (or pits). The cyanogenic glycosides, including amygdalin, present in these parts of the plant, can convert to cyanide within the pet's body. Signs of poisoning in pets can be similar to humans and might include symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, lethargy, seizures, and potentially coma. In extreme cases, ingestion can be fatal, so it's crucial to prevent pets from chewing on or consuming any part of the plant other than the fruit flesh, and even then, ensure that the pits are not ingested.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  15 feet [4.57 meters]
- Spread
  10 feet [3.05 meters]
- Plant type
  Tree
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Japan

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: The Prunus 'Matsumae-fuki' produces beautiful pink to white blossoms that can enhance the visual appeal of any garden or landscape.
- Pollinator Attraction: The flowers provide a nectar source for bees and other pollinators, which is beneficial for the health of the local ecosystem.
- Shade Provision: When mature, it can provide a moderate amount of shade, which can contribute to cool surroundings and reduced energy costs.
- Cultural Significance: It has a strong cultural presence in Japan, where it is celebrated during the cherry blossom viewing season, thus adding a touch of cultural significance and beauty.
- Emotional Wellbeing: Being around flowering plants like this cherry has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood, contributing to overall emotional wellbeing.
- Seasonal Interest: This cherry provides year-round interest, with blossoms in spring, foliage in summer, and textural bark in the winter.
- Real Estate Value: Well-maintained gardens featuring ornamental trees like Prunus 'Matsumae-fuki' can increase property values and curb appeal.
- Wildlife Support: Apart from pollinators, the tree can also provide habitat and food sources for a range of wildlife, including birds and small mammals.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Cherry wood crafted items: The wood from Prunus 'Matsumae-fuki' can be used to make finely crafted items such as furniture or musical instruments due to its strength and beautiful grain.
- Bonsai: This plant can be grown as a bonsai, offering a miniature yet spectacular cherry blossom display that can bring a touch of spring to small spaces.
- Ink production: The bark and fruit can be used to make natural dyes and inks for art or fabric works.
- Photography prop: The striking blossoms provide a breathtaking backdrop for photography, particularly wedding and portrait sessions.
- Culinary garnishes: Although not commonly consumed, the flowers can be used as an edible garnish to add elegance to dishes.
- Flower arrangements: Branches cut in bloom can be used for intricate and traditional Japanese ikebana flower arrangements.
- Horticultural education: This tree is often used in educational settings to teach pruning techniques and tree care due to its resilience and growth patterns.
- Wildlife habitat: When planted in gardens, Prunus 'Matsumae-fuki' can attract and provide a habitat for pollinators such as bees and birds.
- Art inspiration: The blooms of this cherry tree variety are commonly used as a motif in art, such as paintings and textile designs.
- Wax production: The blossoms can be used in the production of floral-scented waxes and candles, adding a soft fragrance of cherry blossoms to the environment.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Cherry Blossom is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Cherry Blossom is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Beauty: Prunus 'Matsumae-fuki', also known as cherry blossom or sakura, is a symbol of beauty due to its delicate and attractive flowers.
- Transience of Life: Cherry blossoms are known for their short blooming period, which symbolizes the fleeting nature of life and reminds people to cherish each moment.
- Renewal: Cherry blossoms bloom in the spring, a time often associated with renewal and fresh beginnings.
- Purity: The pure, white flowers of some cherry blossoms can represent purity and simplicity.
- Love: In Japan, cherry blossoms are often considered a symbol of love and affection, as well as an emblem of spring and feminine beauty.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late winter-early spring

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Japanese flowering cherry, or Prunus 'Matsumae-fuki', prefers consistently moist soil, so watering should keep the soil from drying out without causing waterlogging. During the growing season, roughly from spring to fall, water about once or twice a week, applying around 1 to 1.5 gallons of water for each watering. During the dormant season, typically in winter, reduce watering frequency to when the soil feels dry to the touch at about an inch deep. Water evenly around the base of the tree, extending to the outer edges of the tree's canopy, where the root system spreads.
Light
Japanese flowering cherry needs full sun to thrive and should be planted in a spot where it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. However, the plant can tolerate some light shade, especially in the hotter afternoon hours. An ideal spot would be one where morning sun is abundant and some relief from the intense midday sun is provided.
Temperature
The Japanese flowering cherry prefers moderate climates and can tolerate winter temperatures down to about -20°F and summer temperatures up to 90°F. The ideal growing temperature range is between 60°F and 75°F. It's important to avoid drastic temperature fluctuations and protect the tree from extreme cold winds or frost.
Pruning
Pruning is important for the Japanese flowering cherry to maintain its shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and encourage healthy growth. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Thinning out crowded branches every year or two helps to improve air circulation and light penetration, which is crucial for the health of the tree.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
For Prunus 'Matsumae-fuki', commonly known as Japanese flowering cherry, the best soil mix is well-draining, loamy soil enriched with compost or organic matter. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.
Repotting
Japanese flowering cherry trees, given their size, are not typically repotted as they are outdoor plants. Transplanting young trees should be done during dormancy in late fall or early spring, every 3-5 years or as needed.
Humidity & Misting
The preferred humidity level for a Japanese flowering cherry tree is moderate to high. However, as an outdoor plant, it usually adapts to the ambient humidity of its environment without requiring any special adjustments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Not suited for indoor growth, large tree.
- Outdoor
  Full sun, well-drained soil, and protect from harsh winds.
- Hardiness zone
  5-8 USDA.
Life cycle
The Prunus 'Matsumae-fuki', commonly known as flowering cherry, starts its life cycle as a seed, typically requiring stratification (cold treatment) to break dormancy. After germination, the seedling grows into a young plant, establishing a root system and producing foliage. During its juvenile phase, it focuses on vegetative growth, increasing in height and width, but does not produce flowers yet. As the plant matures, it enters the adult phase, typically after several years, and starts to bloom annually, producing showy pink or white flowers in spring, which is a critical stage for pollination. Following flowering, fertilization occurs, leading to the development of small stone fruits (drupes), though these are generally not the focus for ornamental cultivars like 'Matsumae-fuki'. The plant then enters a period of senescence in the later years of its life, during which growth slows and eventually the plant dies, completing its life cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late winter-early spring
- The most popular method of propagating the Japanese flowering cherry tree, Prunus 'Matsumae-fuki', is through softwood cuttings. This is typically done in late spring or early summer when the tree's new growth is still flexible and not fully mature. To propagate by this method, a gardener would cut a 4 to 6-inch (approximately 10 to 15 cm) piece of stem that includes at least two sets of leaves. The lower leaves are removed and the cut end is often dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then planted in a well-draining potting mix, kept moist, and placed in indirect light until roots develop, which usually takes several weeks. After rooting, the new plant can be gradually acclimated to outdoor conditions before being planted in the ground.