For many gardeners, a flowering cherry is the very picture of spring. One week the branches are bare; the next, they’re smothered in white or pink, with petals drifting down like confetti on the lawn. The display might last only a couple of weeks at its absolute peak, but it leaves a lasting impression every year. In a typical UK garden – whether in a village lane or a street in Ely – that brief, exuberant blossom makes the whole place feel brighter and more hopeful after winter.
Common name: Flowering cherry
Latin name: Prunus – Ornamental Flowering Cherries.
Size in UK gardens: Most garden cherries make small to medium trees around 3–8m tall and 3–6m across in 10–20 years, with compact forms for small gardens staying nearer 3–4m.
Best position: Full sun in an open but reasonably sheltered spot, so the tree gets at least 6 hours of light and the blossom isn’t stripped by strong spring winds.
Soil: Fertile, moist but well‑drained soil is ideal; flowering cherries tolerate a wide range of soil types, including loam, clay, sand and even chalk, provided it doesn’t stay waterlogged.
Flowering time: Most varieties flower in early to mid‑spring (March–April), some a little earlier or later; winter‑flowering selections like P. × subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’ can bloom from late autumn through to early spring.
Fragrance: Many flowering cherries have little or no noticeable scent; a few cultivars offer a light almond or honey fragrance, but they’re chiefly chosen for blossom and form.
Hardiness: Generally fully hardy across the UK (around RHS H6–H7); winter‑flowering cherries are noted as reliably hardy throughout the country.
Care level: Moderate – straightforward if planted in good soil with sun and shelter, but pruning needs a light, well‑timed touch to avoid disease problems.
The Simpson’s team raises the majority of our trees here at the nursery. For varieties outside our own production, we work with independent local growers we trust - all chosen for UK climate suitability.
Planting time: As container‑grown trees, flowering cherries can be planted in most months when the soil is workable and not frozen or waterlogged, with spring and early autumn usually giving the easiest establishment.
Watering: Water regularly through the first couple of growing seasons, especially in dry spells, so moisture penetrates deeply around the rootball. Once established in decent soil, most cherries cope with normal summer dryness but appreciate occasional deep watering during prolonged drought.
Feeding: On reasonable garden soil, an annual spring mulch of compost or well‑rotted manure over the root area is usually enough. On very poor or sandy ground, a light application of a balanced fertiliser in early spring can help younger trees put on strong growth.
Pruning: Keep pruning modest and well‑timed. Remove dead, diseased or crossing branches and make small shape adjustments in early to mid‑summer, when the risk of silver leaf and canker infection is lower; avoid heavy winter pruning.
Winter: Established trees are fully hardy and need no special protection. Young trees on light soils benefit from a winter mulch to protect roots, and it’s wise to stake new trees securely to prevent wind rock while they establish.
Availability is always changing, so please check with us if you have a particular variety in mind.
Deep pink double blossom is paired with rich purple foliage, so the tree keeps its drama well beyond spring. The dark leaves add depth and contrast through summer, giving a modern, slightly moody elegance. A great choice when you want a cherry that still looks striking after the petals fall.
A Japanese cherry with a confident spring performance, opening masses of deep pink blossom that can look almost luminous. The habit is poised and gently spreading, giving real presence as a lawn tree. In flower it feels like a pink cloud caught midair—bold colour, beautifully clean.
A small, tidy cherry with semi-double blossom that looks soft and lightly luxurious as it opens. The display is refined rather than flamboyant, making it perfect for compact gardens. A gentle way to add spring blossom without bulk, and with a pleasingly well-mannered outline.
A weeping Yoshino with a graceful, cascading form that reads as elegant in every season. In spring, pale blossom hangs beneath the branches in soft drifts, creating a calm, romantic mood. A beautiful focal point on a lawn, where the drape can be appreciated from all sides.
Large, double flowers open white and often develop a pink flush as they mature, giving a wonderfully nuanced display. It extends the blossom season with a sense of change and depth, rather than one flat colour. A lovely choice if you enjoy cherries that feel layered and a bit more sophisticated.
The ‘Mount Fuji’ cherry, prized for its broad, spreading shape and masses of crisp white blossom. The canopy has a graceful, horizontal elegance that looks superb over a lawn. In spring it’s luminous—clean, generous, and quietly impressive.
Large, pale pink double flowers open in soft, rounded clusters, giving a gentle but luxurious spring show. The colour is romantic and subtle, more cloud than confetti. A lovely tree when you want fullness and texture in the blossom, but with a softer palette.
Crisp white blossom creates a fresh “snowfall on the branches” effect in spring. It reads well from a distance yet still feels delicate up close, making it very versatile. A bright, uplifting choice for smaller gardens, especially alongside darker evergreens and richer foliage.
A weeping cherry that pours white blossom from cascading branches, creating a true “shower” effect at peak bloom. The silhouette is romantic and theatrical, forming a living curtain in spring. Plant it where it can be a destination—beside a lawn, path, or seating area.
A narrow, upright flowering cherry that gives you spring blossom in a slim, space-saving shape. The flowers open in generous clusters, turning the tree into a vertical ribbon of colour. Excellent for boundaries, driveways, or repeating in a line for rhythm without taking up width.
Clean white blossom gives a bright spring display that looks like a light dusting across the branches. The habit is neatly ornamental, and the overall effect is fresh and celebratory without being flashy. A good choice for lifting a planting scheme and keeping the spring palette light.
A stylish cherry with a strong, upright outline that suits contemporary gardens beautifully. In spring it produces a generous blossom display, adding warmth and seasonal sparkle. Works well as a boundary feature or planted in repeats for a smart, structured look with a spring highlight.
The ‘Great White Cherry’, famed for exceptionally large white blossoms that feel bold and luminous. The flowers are beautifully spaced along the branches, creating a clean, dramatic spring picture. If you want white blossom that reads as grand rather than delicate, this is a standout.
A charming small cherry with abundant white blossom that feels bright, clean and celebratory in spring. The habit stays neat and garden-friendly, so it suits courtyards and smaller spaces well. A lovely way to bring a clear spring highlight close to patios, paths, and entrances.
Grown for its extraordinary bark: glossy mahogany-copper stems that shine in winter light like polished wood. Even when not in flower, it brings real star quality to the garden’s structure. A superb choice for year-round interest, especially where you want winter to look rich and deliberate.
Chosen for vivid blossom colour, this cherry brings a stronger, more dramatic spring presence than many softer pink forms. In bloom it looks energetic and theatrical, making a clear focal point. A great pick when you want your flowering cherry to announce spring loudly and proudly.
Unusually coloured blossom—creamy yellow, often with a greenish tint—makes this a real talking point among cherries. The flowers are generous and softly toned, giving a refined display that feels fresh and different. A lovely choice for anyone who wants something distinctive without being brash.
A striking chokecherry that earns its place with foliage colour, developing rich red-purple tones that deepen through the season. Spring blossom provides a lighter opening act, then the canopy takes over with lasting drama. A smart choice when you want a small tree that keeps delivering after flowering.
Another excellent purple-leaved chokecherry, forming a bold burgundy canopy that adds depth and contrast for months. Spring blossom brings a soft counterpoint before the leaves darken. Very effective in colour-themed planting, where dark foliage makes paler flowers and silvery leaves look even brighter.
A refined Yoshino cherry with an airy, elegant outline and a mass of soft, luminous spring blossom. The overall look is light rather than heavy, making it easy to place near lawns and patios. It captures that classic Japanese spring mood—simple, graceful, and quietly uplifting.
