One of the joys of spring is the appearance of blossom on blackthorn bushes and fruit trees that will later produce apples, pears and plums. But for shear exhuberance there is nothing to surpass the blossom of the flowering cherries. There may be no fruit to follow, but this is no excuse for not including at least one ornamental cherry tree in your garden. This article by Kaori Fujiyama which I found on the Houzz website describes eight of the best flowering cherry trees.
Every year when the weather starts getting warmer, the ?cherry blossom front,? as the blooming of ornamental cherry trees across Japan is affectionately known, becomes a hot topic. Early April is peak season for cherry blossom viewing in Japan, so these little pink flowers seem to be everywhere at the moment.
The blossoms you are probably picturing when reading this, and the ones you are likely to see in most photos, come from the Yoshino cherry, the most commonly grown variety of sakura (cherry blossom) tree. The ephemeral beauty of its flowers has captivated the hearts of nature lovers throughout Japan and around the world.
Nonetheless, this is only one of a dazzling number of gorgeous varieties. Let?s take a tour of some flowering cherries you may have missed.Somei-Yoshino (Yoshino Cherry)
Well-known and well-loved Yoshino cherries (Prunus x yedoensis) were likely all grown from cuttings of a single tree.Although this variety is beautiful, it is not ideal for a residential garden, as its crown and roots grow very wide. The crown therefore takes up a lot of space, while the roots may damage pavement or nearby structures. That?s why this variety is best suited to larger gardens.Shidare-Zakura (Weeping Cherry)
The sight of a weeping cherry tree in full bloom is unforgettable. ?Weeping cherry? is not a particular variety, but rather a general term for any sakura tree with drooping branches. Stunningly beautiful, weeping cherries never fail to attract big crowds.Sato-Zakura (Japanese Village Cherries)
A large group of hybrids grown in Japan since the 16th century is collectively referred to as Japanese village cherries (grouped under P. lannesiana or P. serrulata). They start blooming a bit later than the Yoshino cherry, sprouting leaves about the same time. While the Yoshino is a display of nothing but pink, the green leaves and pink flowers of some Japanese village cherries make for a pleasant springlike pastel mix. The plump, round blooms of some varieties give them added charm.
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