It’s still Blossom Season 🌸

This week’s tree is a true show-stealer. To illustrate this point, we should cast our minds back to 1912. Not that we can remember 1912 of course, but let us try for a moment. 

It was two years before the Great War and William Howard Taft was the President of the United States of America. Tensions have been rising with Japan, so in an effort to relieve pressure, the Mayor of Japan gifted 3000 Cherry Trees to Washington DC. The gifts were commemorated by the planting ceremony of two trees, wielded by the First Lady, Helen Taft, and the Viscountess of Japan.

Pink Flowering Cherries at Queenspark, Invercargill.

It was important to plant the most decorative tree and one of them was assuredly the Prunus serrulata Kanzan, full of rich double pink flowers, the cherry on the top. The ploy worked and the relationship between the USA and Japan literally blossomed.

To this day, Washington DC continues to hold a National Cherry Tree Blossom Festival every year, with the Prunus Kanzan Cherry holding centre stage. It should be noted that the solemn planting in 1912 was just six years before Richmond Harrison started this little family business and our own story began.

Prunus Kanzan from Heritage Collection, 400L container in blossom, at Easy Big Trees nursery.

PRUNUS serrulata ‘Kanzan’ – Pink Flowering Cherry

The rich double flowers that emerge mid-later Spring are held in pendant-like clusters, their presence announcing the beginning of the season in the most beautiful way, with an almost effervescent quality.

The bright colour of Spring gives way to a dark green in Summer with a density perfect for casting book-reading shadows below.

  • Deciduous, with golden amber Autumn colours
  • Ideal for planting along avenues or as specimen tree
  • Grows to approx. 8x4m

Photo: PRUNUS serrulata ‘Kanzan’ – Pink Flowering Cherry from heritage grade, 400L container, 5m+ height, 10+ years old. Also available in 45L and 1000L container.

Prunus serrulata Kanzan - Pink Flowering Cherry Trees at Millbrook, supplied by Easy Big Trees.
Prunus serrulata Kanzan - Pink Flowering Cherries blossoming in Queenstown, with a mountain in the background.
Prunus serrulata Kanzan - Pink Flowering Cherries blossoming at SIT campus, Invercargill.

If you prefer weeping form trees, this one can be considered the Prunus Serrulata Kanzan twin, which we wonder if it was Washington DC’s second choice…

PRUNUS serrulata ‘Kiku Shidare Sakura’ – Pink Weeping Cherry

Frilly clusters of clear, rick pink double flowers arch over on drooping branches. This show brings a visual delight to springtime, while the glossy bronze-green leaves reflect the light for a lively appearance.

  • Deciduous, with orange and scarlet Autumn colours
  • Ideal for gardens as feature planting
  • Can grow up to 4x4m

Photo: PRUNUS serrulata ‘Kiku Shidare Sakura’ – Pink Weeping Cherry from heritage grade, 300L container, 2.5m height, 10+ years old.

SOLD OUT, more available in 2025.

PRUNUS serrulata Kiku Shidare Sakura – Pink Weeping Cherry from heritage grade, 300L container, 2.5m height, 10+ years old.
PRUNUS serrulata Kiku Shidare Sakura – Pink Weeping Cherry in Invercargill and flowers close-up.
Testimonial banner from Minaret Station, Wanaka, Easy Big Trees client.
Harry's Tree Care Tips: Spring is the ideal time to fertilise.
Harry's Tree Care Tips: Spring planting. It's a great time for planting as warmth is creeping into the soil and those Spring showers make sure there's enough moisture for establishment.
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