In Japan the flowering cherry has been revered for centuries. In 1594 cherry-flower viewing parties were held by the Japanese Emperor and holiday tour operators do similar trips today. Prunus is the family name for cherries and P. Serrulata the ‘mountain cherry ‘ is the Japanese favourite. Its pure white blossom is a symbol of chivalry, purity and honour.

Single and double varieties vie for our attention and shapes and sizes vary by variety so some guidance is given below.I prefer the single white but the double pink varieties. I am grateful for some comments on shape, form and examples by Geoffrey Chadbund in his book ‘Flowering Cherries’ ISBN 00211271X.

  Cherry Trees Shapes and Styles

1. Upright or narrowly fastigiated – slender habit useful for restricted spaces or junctions of paths. P. Yedoensis Erecta
2. Tulip or wine glass shaped - OK for narrow borders. P.Umineko
3. Inverted funnel shape – a rather stiff but common habit of cherries in street planting P. Kanzan
4. Upright Spreading- Familiar tree shape and habit of growth P. Spontanea
5. Flat topped or tabular – with branches spreading out horizontally this can be used in landscaping P. Shirofugen
6. Weeping or Pendulous – The opposite of fastigiated, all the branches hang or arch down in a pendulous fashion. Useful near streams or on the top of mounds. P.Kinku-Shirade
7. Bushy shrubs - as the description implies P.Incisa group

Tips on Selecting Flowering Cherry trees.

With so many varieties to chose from here are a few tips that may be of assistance in choosing your variety from a list of over 200.·<!–[if !supportLists]–>

• Some trees have attractive bark with rings (lenticles), shine and colour. Select one of these for winter interest.
• Fit the shape of tree to the surroundings. Consider if it will block a view as it grows or how it will look in say 10-20 years. Some grow quite robustly.
• Consider Autumn colouring which can be quite a feature and cherries although many bred varieties are sterile.
• Seek out a grafted ‘Standard tree’ if you want a small tree.
• Hillier or Nocutts nurseries usually have a good selection or use the RHS plant finder.
• There are two native species: the wild cherry P.Avium and the bird cherry P.Padus.