Few sights in the natural world rival the breathtaking spectacle of a cherry tree in full bloom. Among the many ornamental cherries celebrated across the globe, the Kwanzan cherry tree holds a place of particular reverence. Known for its extravagant, double-petaled blossoms and its dramatic seasonal displays, the Kwanzan — also spelled “Kanzan” — has captured the hearts of gardeners, landscapers, and nature lovers for centuries. Originating in Japan, this beloved tree has spread across continents, gracing parks, boulevards, and private gardens with its unmistakable beauty.
The Kwanzan cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’) belongs to the broader family of Japanese flowering cherries, a group renowned for their ornamental value rather than fruit production. What makes the Kwanzan and its related cultivars so extraordinary is the sheer density and richness of their blooms. Each flower cluster bursts with dozens of layered petals in shades ranging from the softest blush pink to deep rose, creating a canopy that feels almost dreamlike during the brief but glorious spring flowering season. The trees also offer stunning bronze-green foliage in spring and brilliant copper and orange tones in autumn, ensuring year-round visual interest.
While the classic Kwanzan remains the most widely planted, numerous related cultivars and companion varieties offer different growth habits, bloom colors, sizes, and seasonal characteristics. Whether you have a sprawling estate or a modest urban garden, there is almost certainly a Kwanzan-type cherry tree suited to your space and climate. The following guide explores ten remarkable varieties that every cherry tree enthusiast should know.
Types of Kwanzan Cherry Tree
Kwanzan (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’)
The original and most iconic of the group, the classic Kwanzan cherry is celebrated for its spectacular double-pink blossoms, each flower containing as many as 28 to 30 petals. Blooming in mid-to-late spring, the tree produces large, fragrant clusters of deep rose-pink flowers that emerge just as or slightly after the leaves appear, giving the tree a lush, layered look. It grows in a vase-shaped form, reaching 15 to 25 feet in height, and is remarkably hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. Its autumn foliage turns brilliant shades of bronze and orange, making it a four-season standout in any landscape.
Shirofugen (Prunus serrulata ‘Shirofugen’)
Shirofugen is a late-blooming cultivar that extends the cherry blossom season well beyond most other varieties. Its flowers open as a delicate pale pink and gradually fade to white as they mature, creating a two-toned effect that is visually captivating. The large, double blossoms appear alongside bronze-colored new leaves, creating a striking contrast that many gardeners find even more appealing than the classic Kwanzan. This wide-spreading tree can reach up to 25 feet tall and equally wide, making it an excellent choice for open landscapes where its broad, arching canopy can be fully appreciated.
Sekiyama (Prunus serrulata ‘Sekiyama’)
Often considered a synonym or close relative of the Kwanzan, the Sekiyama cherry is prized in Japanese gardens for its bold, upright branching structure and profuse double-pink flowers. The blossoms are slightly darker than the standard Kwanzan, displaying a rich, saturated rose-pink that makes the tree look almost festive when in full flower. Sekiyama is also valued for its resilience, tolerating urban pollution and compacted soils better than many other ornamental cherries. It has long been a popular selection for city streetscapes across Japan, Europe, and North America.
Fugenzo (Prunus serrulata ‘Fugenzo’)
Also known as James H. Veitch cherry, Fugenzo is one of the oldest cultivated Japanese cherry varieties, with records of its cultivation stretching back hundreds of years. It produces enormous, fully double flowers in a rich pink that fades gracefully to pale blush, giving the tree a soft, romantic appearance. The wide-spreading crown and drooping flower clusters give Fugenzo a slightly weeping quality, making it particularly elegant when planted near water or along garden pathways. Its autumn foliage develops warm amber and red tones, ensuring continued interest well after the blooms have faded.
Ukon (Prunus serrulata ‘Ukon’)
Ukon is one of the most unusual and sought-after cherry cultivars due to its rare pale yellow-green to cream-colored blossoms — a dramatic departure from the pinks and whites typical of the Kwanzan family. The semi-double flowers appear in mid-spring against a backdrop of bronze-tinted new foliage, creating an earthy, sophisticated color palette unlike any other flowering cherry. The tree grows in an upright, spreading form and reaches about 15 to 20 feet tall. In autumn, the foliage turns a spectacular combination of orange, red, and purple, making Ukon one of the most visually dynamic cherries across all four seasons.
Shogetsu (Prunus serrulata ‘Shogetsu’)
Shogetsu, sometimes called “Moonlight over Pine Trees,” is admired for its exceptionally graceful, wide-spreading branches that create a nearly flat-topped, umbrella-like canopy. The large, double flowers are pale blush pink at the edges with white centers, hanging in long, pendulous clusters that give the tree an airy, cloud-like appearance when in full bloom. This cultivar blooms later in the season, often extending the cherry blossom display into late spring. It is a particularly excellent choice for smaller gardens, as its horizontal branching form creates a striking focal point without dominating the space.
Kanzan Weeping (Prunus ‘Kiku-shidare-zakura’)
Also known as Cheal’s Weeping Cherry, this cultivar takes the beloved characteristics of the Kwanzan family and adds a stunning cascading form. Long, arching branches sweep dramatically downward, becoming completely covered in deep rose-pink double blossoms in early to mid-spring. The weeping habit makes it one of the most architectural of all ornamental cherries, functioning equally well as a standalone specimen or a formal garden accent. It typically grows to about 8 to 15 feet tall, making it an ideal choice for smaller properties or courtyard gardens where a more restrained but highly dramatic tree is desired.
Tai Haku (Prunus serrulata ‘Tai Haku’)
Known as the Great White Cherry, Tai Haku bears some of the largest individual flowers of any ornamental cherry — single blooms that can reach up to 2.5 inches across, pure and snow-white in color. Though the flowers are single rather than double like the classic Kwanzan, their sheer size and pristine coloring give the tree an extraordinary presence. The blossoms emerge alongside striking copper-red young leaves, creating a vivid contrast. Tai Haku was actually believed to be extinct until a single surviving specimen was discovered in an English garden in the early 20th century, adding a touch of romance to its already compelling story.
Accolade (Prunus × subhirtella ‘Accolade’)
Accolade is a hybrid ornamental cherry that captures much of the grandeur of the Kwanzan family while offering superior cold hardiness and a slightly earlier bloom time. The semi-double blossoms are a rich rose-pink in bud, opening to a softer blush pink, and appear in generous hanging clusters that smother the branches before the leaves emerge. This gives Accolade an almost ethereal appearance in early spring when the bare branches are completely overwhelmed by flowers. Hardy to USDA zone 4, it is an excellent option for gardeners in colder climates who want the splendor of a full-flowered cherry without the risk of frost damage.
Pink Perfection (Prunus serrulata ‘Pink Perfection’)
Pink Perfection is a late-season cultivar that delivers one of the most vibrant and long-lasting floral displays of any cherry in this group. The deep rose-pink double flowers are produced in abundant hanging clusters and remain on the tree for a notably longer period than most other ornamental cherries, extending the visual spectacle well into late spring. New foliage emerges with a warm bronze tint that complements the pink blooms beautifully. The tree grows in an upright, broadly spreading form and is well-suited to parks, large gardens, and avenues where its exuberant flowering habit can be displayed to full effect.