Cherry trees remain one of the most popular flowering trees at nurseries and in landscapes in New Jersey. We are often asked which Cherry is which – the abundance of varieties can be confusing.. Here are summaries for 10 of the most popular varieties and a reference to approximate bloom time. If you stage multiple cherries correctly you can have a tree in bloom for nearly 6 weeks.
Okame Cherry Tree
Prunus serrulata x ‘Okame’
Early Bloomer – mid to Late March
Okame Cherry is often the first Cherry to bloom in our state. Distinctly pink blooms are small but cover the tree.
Tree grows 20-25′ tall and 15-20′ wide – it has a more upright habit than other Cherry trees.
Yoshino Cherry
Prunus X yedoensis
Early Bloomer – mid to Late March
Yoshino Cherry has light pink and white blooms in early spring.
Tree grows 20-30 feet tall and wide.
Snow Fountain Cherry
Prunus serrulata x ‘Snofozam’
Early Bloomer
Late March – Early April
Snow Fountain Cherry is one of the two most popular weeping varieties (Pink Weeping Cherry is the other). In spring the tree is covered in pure white flowers.
Grows 8-12′ tall and 6-10′ wide.
Weeping Cherry
Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’
Early Bloomer
Late March – Early April
The most popular weeping cherry and a sure sign that spring is here. Pink buds open to lighter pink blooms.
Grows 15-25′ tall and 15-20′ wide.
Sargent Cherry
Prunus sargentii
Early Bloomer
Late March – Early April
Known for profuse pink spring blooms, attractive summer foliage, good fall color and shiny reddish-brown bark.
Grows 20-30′ tall and wide.
Autumnalis Cherry Tree
Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’
Early Bloomer
Late March – Early April
Known for profuse pink spring blooms, attractive summer foliage, good fall color and shiny reddish-brown bark.
Grows 20-30′ tall and wide.
Snow Goose Cherry
Prunus x ‘Snow Goose’
Mid-Bloomer – Early April
Pink buds open to white, single flowers.. Bright green leaves turn bronze and orange in the fall.
Grows 25-35′ tall and 20′ wide.
Akebono Cherry
Prunus cerasifera ‘Thundercloud’
Mid-Bloomer – Early April
Known for its early spring display of large, semi-double, blush pink flowers that fade to white.
Growing 20–35 feet high, it features a vase-shaped form, glossy green summer foliage, and golden-orange fall color.
Akebono Cherry
Prunus cerasifera ‘Thundercloud’
Mid-Bloomer – Early April
Known for its early spring display of large, semi-double, blush pink flowers that fade to white.
Growing 20–35 feet high, it features a vase-shaped form, glossy green summer foliage, and golden-orange fall color.
Royal Burgundy Cherry
Prunus serrulata ‘Royal Burgundy’
Late Bloomer Mid-April
A relative of Kwanzan Cherries this variety features purple leaves through the growing season, pink to light pink flowers in mid-April.
Grows to 20′ tall and 15′ wide.
Kwanzan Cherry
Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan”
Late Bloomer – Mid April
Known for dense, pink, double flowers that resemble mini carnations. The last Cherry of this group of 7 to bloom.
Grows 20- tall and 20-25′ wide.
