Overview

The Kwanzan Cherry Tree live plant is a magnificent addition to any garden, renowned for its spectacular spring display. Scientifically known as Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’, this ornamental tree is one of the most popular varieties of Japanese cherry trees. Unlike fruiting cherry trees, the Kwanzan is cultivated purely for its aesthetic appeal, showcasing an abundance of double pink blooms that create a breathtaking visual spectacle each spring. Its upright, spreading growth habit and vibrant yellow fall foliage contribute to its year-round interest, making it a versatile choice for various landscape designs. When you choose a Kwanzan Cherry Tree live plant, you’re investing in a living piece of art that will transform your outdoor space with dramatic seasonal color.

This particular ornamental cherry tree is shipped as a young, healthy specimen in a 2.5-inch pot, typically measuring 6–12 inches tall. It is a deciduous tree, meaning it will shed its leaves in the fall and enter dormancy over winter, emerging with fresh growth and exquisite blossoms in the spring. Hardy in USDA Zones 5–9, this tree is resilient and performs best when planted in a location that receives full sun and has well-drained soil. Its mature height of 15–25 feet makes it ideal for creating focal points, lining walkways, or enhancing garden beds with its distinctive structure and brilliant floral display. The Prunus serrulata Kwanzan is a non-fruiting variety, ensuring all its energy is dedicated to producing those stunning blossoms without the mess of fallen fruit.

Key Benefits

The Kwanzan Cherry Tree live plant offers a multitude of benefits that make it a favorite among gardeners and landscapers alike. Its captivating beauty and relatively easy care make it an excellent choice for both experienced and novice gardeners.

• Stunning Double Blooms: The most prominent feature of this ornamental cherry tree is its profusion of large, fluffy, double pink blooms that appear in spring. These blossoms create an unparalleled visual impact, turning your garden into a springtime wonderland and attracting admiring glances from all who see it.
• No Messy Fruit: As a non-fruiting variety, the Kwanzan Cherry Tree provides all the ornamental value of a cherry tree without the cleanup and maintenance associated with fallen fruit. This makes it a cleaner and more appealing option for patios, walkways, and areas where fruit drop might be a concern.
• Vibrant Seasonal Foliage: Beyond its spring flowers, the Kwanzan offers year-round interest. Its lush green foliage in summer transitions into a brilliant, vibrant yellow in the fall, adding another layer of dramatic seasonal color to your landscape.
• Versatile Landscape Use: With its upright and spreading growth habit, this tree is incredibly versatile. It’s perfect for creating stunning streetscapes, serving as a magnificent garden focal point, or enhancing entryways with its elegant form and seasonal charm. Its mature size is suitable for a variety of garden designs.
• Cold Hardy and Resilient: The Kwanzan Cherry Tree live plant is remarkably cold hardy, thriving in USDA Zones 5 through 9. This wide hardiness range means it can adapt to and flourish in many different climates, making it a reliable choice for diverse geographical locations.
• Easy to Grow: Requiring full sun and well-drained soil, this tree is relatively low maintenance once established. Its robust nature and natural resistance to many common pests and diseases contribute to its ease of care, making it a rewarding plant for any gardener.
• Attracts Pollinators: While primarily ornamental, the spring flowers can attract early pollinators like bees, contributing to the biodiversity and health of your garden ecosystem.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Kwanzan Cherry Tree live plant is straightforward and ensures it will flourish, providing years of beautiful blooms and fall color. Proper site selection and initial care are crucial for establishing a strong, healthy tree. This tree thrives in full sun, meaning it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth and the most abundant flowering. While it can tolerate some partial shade, too little sun will result in fewer blossoms and a less vigorous growth habit. When selecting a planting location, ensure it has good air circulation to help prevent fungal diseases.

Soil requirements for the ornamental cherry tree are relatively simple: it prefers moist, well-drained soil. Avoid areas where water tends to collect, as soggy soil can lead to root rot. If your soil is heavy clay, amending it with organic matter like compost can significantly improve drainage. During the first growing season, consistent watering is essential to help the tree establish its root system. Water moderately, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. Once established, the Kwanzan Cherry Tree is more drought-tolerant but will still benefit from supplemental watering during prolonged dry spells. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs, following the product’s instructions.

The spring flowering tree is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9, meaning it can withstand winter temperatures down to -20°F (-29°C) in Zone 5. Protection from strong winds is advisable while the tree is young to encourage a strong, upright structure. Minimal pruning is typically required, primarily for shaping or removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches. The best time to prune is after the flowering period in spring, as pruning before blooming will remove the flower buds. This non-fruiting variety is generally resistant to most pests and diseases, but keep an eye out for common issues like aphids or powdery mildew, and treat them promptly if they appear. With proper care, your Kwanzan Cherry Tree live plant will become a cherished centerpiece of your garden.

Size & Details

Your Kwanzan Cherry Tree live plant will arrive as a healthy, young specimen, typically housed in a 2.5-inch nursery pot. At the time of shipping, the approximate height of the plant will be between 6 and 12 inches. This size is ideal for planting and allows the tree to establish well in its new environment. The ‘Kwanzan’ variety is a deciduous ornamental flowering tree, known for its upright growth habit with spreading branches that form a beautiful, rounded canopy at maturity. It is a medium to large sized tree, reaching a mature height of 15–25 feet with a similar spread, making it a significant landscape feature.

This particular ornamental cherry tree is prized for its spectacular double pink blooms that emerge in spring, making it a true spring flowering tree. The foliage is a vibrant green throughout the summer, transitioning to a striking yellow in the fall, providing multi-season interest. It is a non-fruiting variety, ensuring a clean landscape without the mess of fallen cherries. The growth rate is moderate, meaning it will take several years to reach its full mature size, but will provide increasing beauty each year. This Prunus serrulata Kwanzan is an outdoor plant, best suited for garden planting where it has ample space to grow and display its full glory.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Kwanzan Cherry Tree get at maturity? A: The Kwanzan Cherry Tree live plant is a medium to large ornamental tree. It typically reaches a mature height of 15 to 25 feet with a similar spread, creating a beautiful, rounded canopy.
• Q: What size pot does the plant come in? A: This ornamental cherry tree is shipped in a 2.5-inch nursery pot. The plant itself will be approximately 6 to 12 inches tall upon arrival, ready for planting in your garden.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Kwanzan Cherry Tree live plant is an outdoor plant. It requires full sun and space to grow to its mature size, making it unsuitable for long-term indoor cultivation.
• Q: How much sunlight does the Kwanzan Cherry Tree need? A: For optimal growth and the most abundant double pink blooms, this tree requires full sun. This means it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? Is it good for beginners? A: Yes, the Kwanzan Cherry Tree live plant is considered relatively easy to care for once established. It is a robust tree that tolerates a range of conditions, making it a good choice for beginner gardeners.
• Q: What condition will the plant arrive in? A: Your spring flowering tree will arrive as a live, healthy plant in its nursery pot. If shipped during winter, it may arrive dormant and leafless, which is normal and it will leaf out in spring.
• Q: When is the best time to plant a Kwanzan Cherry Tree? A: The best time to plant a Kwanzan Cherry Tree live plant is in early spring or early fall when temperatures are moderate. This allows the tree to establish its root system before extreme heat or cold.
• Q: Will this ornamental cherry tree survive winter in my zone? A: The Prunus serrulata Kwanzan is hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9. If you live within these zones, it should successfully survive winter and return with beautiful blooms each spring.
• Q: Does this tree produce fruit? A: No, the Kwanzan Cherry Tree is a non-fruiting ornamental variety. It is specifically cultivated for its stunning floral display and will not produce cherries.
• Q: How often should I water my newly planted Kwanzan Cherry Tree? A: During the first growing season, water moderately and consistently to keep the soil evenly moist, especially during dry periods. Once established, it will be more tolerant of varying moisture levels.