Kwanzan Flowering Cherry is a broad deciduous tree with an open vase-shaped crown and bark with prominent horizontal stripes. The simple dark green leaves emerge reddish-bronze and turn shades of  yellow, orange, and bronze in fall.  Dramatic heavy blooms of double deep pink flowers last from mid to late spring.  Flowers best in full sun and rich moist well-drained soils.  Kwanzan is a fruitless variety.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS:  High Maintenance. Pests and diseases can be a problem.  Watch for aphids, scale, borers, caterpillars, beetles and spider mites. Potential diseases include leaf spot, dieback, leaf curl, powdery mildew, root rot, and fireblight.  Cherries have weak wood and are susceptible to breakage.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Naturalized Areas, Wildlife Gardens, and Shade Tree.

COMPANION PLANTS: Hibiscus, Coneflower, Viburnum

IMAGE: Photo by Drew Avery, Japanese flowering cherry 'Kwanzan' {prunus serrulata}