Yoshino cherry Prunus × yedoensis 'Somei-yoshino'
ABOUT
The 'Somei-yoshino' cherry blossom, often called Yoshino cherry, is a beautiful flowering tree that is widely celebrated for its spring display. It produces an abundance of soft pink, almost cloud-like blooms that cover the branches before the leaves fully emerge. These flowers are clustered in groups, with each individual blossom featuring five delicate petals that create a round, cup-shaped profile. As the blossoms mature, their color can fade to an almost pure white, providing a gentle and subtle variation in hue over the blooming period. The leaves of the Yoshino cherry are elliptical with a pointy tip, appearing a glossy green and contributing to the tree's lush appearance after the blooming period. In autumn, the foliage undergoes a transformation, presenting warm colors that range from yellow to red, adding another layer of aesthetic appeal. The bark of the tree is another distinctive feature. It is a glossy, dark grey with prominent horizontal lenticels, or small raised pores, which are more noticeable on young branches. These lenticels add texture and interest to the tree's appearance, particularly in the winter after the leaves have fallen. Overall, the Yoshino cherry is celebrated for its breathtaking floral display and is a key symbol of spring in many cultures, often associated with transient beauty and renewal.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Yoshino Cherry, Tokyo Cherry, Somei-Yoshino Cherry
Common names
Cerasus × yedoensis 'Somei-yoshino', Prunus yedoensis 'Somei-yoshino'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Yoshino cherry is not considered highly toxic to humans, but it does contain cyanogenic glycosides, particularly in the seeds, leaves, and stems. If ingested in large enough quantities, these compounds can release cyanide in the body. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning can include headache, dizziness, confusion, difficulty breathing, and even potentially fatal respiratory failure.
To pets
For pets, the Yoshino cherry also contains cyanogenic glycosides and can be toxic if ingested, particularly the seeds, leaves, and stems. Symptoms of poisoning in pets may include salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially more severe signs like difficulty breathing and shock, which, if not treated, could be fatal.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
20 feet (6 meters)
Spread
20 feet (6 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Japan
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: It offers spectacular spring blossoms that enhance landscaping and public spaces.
- Cultural Significance: As the iconic Japanese cherry blossom, it has strong cultural and traditional importance, particularly in Japan.
- Economic Impact: The blooms attract tourists during festivals, contributing to local economies.
- Habitat Support: It provides habitat and food for pollinators and other wildlife during its blooming season.
- Shade and Cooling: Like other trees, Prunus × yedoensis 'Somei-yoshino' provides shade and can help in reducing urban heat islands.
- Recreational Space: The tree's pleasant aesthetic creates inviting parks and recreational areas.
- Mental Health: Viewing the cherry blossoms has a calming effect and can reduce stress and anxiety.
- Seasonal Indicator: It is a natural indicator of spring, marking the change of seasons.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Cherry blossom festivals: 'Somei-yoshino' or Yoshino cherry is celebrated during cherry blossom festivals across Japan, and increasingly around the world, where people gather to enjoy the fleeting beauty of its blossoms.
- Photographic subject: The ephemeral blooms of the Yoshino cherry make it a popular subject for photographers, capturing the beauty of spring in urban and natural landscapes.
- Landscape design: Yoshino cherry trees are often used in landscape design for their aesthetic appeal, creating beautiful pink canopies in gardens and parks.
- Bonsai: The Yoshino cherry can be cultivated as a bonsai tree, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy the miniature version of its spectacular spring blossoms.
- Urban planning: Cities plant Yoshino cherry trees along streets for urban beautification and to create shaded walkways that are particularly stunning in the spring.
- Floral arrangements: The branches of the Yoshino cherry tree are used in traditional Japanese flower arrangements, known as Ikebana, especially during the spring season.
- Culinary uses: While not as common as some other cherry varieties, the blossoms of the Yoshino cherry may be pickled and used in certain Japanese culinary traditions.
- Cultural symbolism: In Japan, the Yoshino cherry blossoms represent the transient nature of life, and are often used in art and literature as a symbol of ephemeral beauty.
- Festive decorations: During cherry blossom festivals, lanterns and other decorations are hung from Yoshino cherry trees to enhance the festive atmosphere.
- Wedding ceremonies: Yoshino cherry trees provide a romantic and picturesque setting for wedding photos and ceremonies, especially when in full bloom.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Yoshino Cherry is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Yoshino Cherry is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Transience of Life - As the Cherry Blossom, or Sakura, this tree is known for its fleeting beauty, symbolizing the ephemeral nature of life and reminding us of the poignancy of our existence, which is celebrated during Hanami (flower viewing) festivals in Japan.
- Renewal and Hope - The Cherry Blossom's springtime bloom signifies renewal and the beginning of a new cycle, inspiring hope as nature awakens from the winter dormancy.
- Purity and Innocence - The delicate white blossoms of the Somei-Yoshino Sakura are often associated with purity and innocence, making them a popular motif in weddings and other celebrations.
- Beauty - With their stunning floral displays, Cherry Blossoms are celebrated for their sheer beauty, representing the aesthetic pleasures of life.
WaterThe Yoshino cherry tree requires consistent moisture, particularly during the first year after planting to establish a strong root system. Water the tree approximately once a week, providing deep watering to encourage the roots to grow downward. During dry spells or in particularly hot climates, it may be necessary to water it twice a week. The amount should be around 15-20 gallons each time, depending on the size of the tree and the soil composition. It's important not to overwater, as standing water or excessively wet soil can lead to root rot.
LightYoshino cherries perform best when planted in a spot that receives full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. They can tolerate some light shade, but too much shade can affect flowering and overall health. Therefore, an optimal location for a Yoshino cherry tree would be a spot where it can bask in unfiltered sunlight, which will promote the most abundant blooms and healthiest growth.
TemperatureYoshino cherry trees thrive in a temperate climate and can generally withstand winter temperatures down to about -20°F, but prolonged exposure to such cold can be damaging. The ideal temperature for these trees is between 50°F and 75°F. They can handle summer temperatures up to around 85°F to 90°F, but extreme heat, particularly when combined with humidity, can stress the tree.
PruningPrune Yoshino cherry trees to maintain shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and encourage flowering. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before the new growth starts, which will reduce the risk of exposing the tree to diseases. Typically, pruning once a year is sufficient for maintaining health and shape. Always use sharp, clean tools to make clean cuts, and never remove more than a third of the tree's branches in a single year.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil for the Yoshino Cherry should be well-draining with organic matter, loamy, and have a pH between 6.0 to 7.5 to ensure healthy growth.
RepottingYoshino Cherry trees being large landscape plants do not typically require repotting as they are not container-grown.
Humidity & MistingYoshino Cherry trees are adaptable to outdoor conditions and do not require specific humidity levels, but they thrive in moderate humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Not suited for indoor growth; Yoshino Cherries are outdoor landscape trees.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, and space adequately for mature size.
Hardiness zone
5-8 USDA
Life cycleCherry blossom 'Somei-yoshino' begins its life cycle when seeds germinate in the spring after stratification, a process where seeds are exposed to cold temperatures to break dormancy. Seedlings emerge and establish, developing a root system and foliage under suitable growth conditions. Over several years, the seedling transitions into a sapling, growing in height and girth, and developing its characteristic smooth bark. The sapling eventually matures into an adult tree, which blossoms profusely in early spring before developing leaves, producing simple, pale pink flowers. After blooming, the tree produces small fruits that are typically not a significant food source due to their small size and bitterness. This tree reaches its peak growth phase before entering a period of senescence, which may occur after several decades, at which point growth slows, and it becomes more susceptible to environmental stresses, diseases, and pests.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
The most common name for Prunus × yedoensis "Somei-yoshino" is Yoshino cherry, and its most popular method of propagation is by grafting, which is typically performed in the late winter or early spring, just before active growth begins. In grafting, a piece of stem called a scion, which contains the buds of the Yoshino cherry, is attached to a rootstock of another cherry variety that possesses desirable growing characteristics, such as disease resistance and hardiness. The scion and rootstock are cut at matching angles and bound tightly together, often with grafting tape, to promote the fusion of the vascular tissues, allowing the scion to receive water and nutrients from the rootstock. The graft union is then sealed with grafting wax or a similar sealant to prevent desiccation and infection by pathogens. Over time, as the graft heals, the scion grows and develops into a new Yoshino cherry tree, combining the desirable features of both the scion and rootstock.
