April Tree of the Month-Japanese flowering cherry/Kwanzan cherry

A tour around the Japanese Garden (Siewa-en) at Missouri Botanical Garden during spring is a feast for the senses. Azaleas, peonies, and, of course, the Yoshino cherry trees. But one tree that sparks numerous “What kind of tree is THAT?” comments when in flower is the Japanese flowering cherry or Kwanzan cherry tree, Prunus ‘Kanzan.’ Other cherries, like Yoshinos, bloom in very early spring. The Kwanzans wait for the spotlight and then steal the show.

The double flowers resemble (for those of us old enough to remember!) the tissue paper flowers we made as teens that covered Homecoming floats for parades. Kwanzans blossoms last longer in the rain and have the additional bonus of a slight almondy scent. The serrated leaves emerge reddish, then turn a glossy green for summer, then a bronzy yellow for fall. The leaf petioles bear the ID feature of 2 small glands common to other Prunus spp.

Kwanzans can grow 30-40’ high and wide, so a decent-sized space is needed in full sun. Not picky about soil as long as it’s well-drained. 

Unlike other flowering trees like crabapples, Kwanzans are sterile and do not bear fruit. The beautiful, slightly peeling bark has pronounced lenticels.

What I love about this plant;

-Its beautiful double flowers.

-The glossy, green leaves that emerge reddish-copper. 

-The subtle scent. 

-Does not produce messy fruit.

-Beautiful bark.

What’s not so great

-Not a very long-lived tree. Like most plants in the Rosaceae family, it’s susceptible to many insect and disease problems like leaf spot, die back, leaf curl, powdery mildew, root rot, and fireblight. Pests include aphids, scale, borers, leafhoppers, caterpillars, tent caterpillars, Japanese beetles and Spider mites.

Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com

Words and photos by Jo Batzer

© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2024, All rights reserved.