Japanese Flowering Cherry
'Full bloom'Prunus serrulata
Rosaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced
Last updated
Prunus serrulata (Rosaceae) is a deciduous tree of complex hybrid origin, representing the classic Japanese flowering cherries. Depending on cultivar, it grows 20 to 40 feet tall with a vase-shaped to spreading crown. Flowers range from single to fully double in white, pink, or deep rose, appearing in midspring. The dark, glossy bark has prominent horizontal lenticels.
Japanese flowering cherry grows in full sun on well-drained, fertile soil. 'Kwanzan' (double pink, vase-shaped) and 'Shirofugen' (double white aging to pink) are among the most common cultivars. The species tends to be shorter-lived than many trees (25 to 50 years) and is susceptible to bacterial canker, brown rot, and borers. Hardy in Zones 5a to 8b.
Plant Profile
Size & Form
Site Requirements
Ornamental Interest
Field Observations
Primary Infection - Flowers and Young Leaves
Peak Spore Production and Dispersal
Active Conidial Spread
Uredinial Stage (Summer)
+ 17 more — see full disease and pest lists below
Diseases: Regionally Documented (51)
Pests: Regionally Documented (31)
Phenological Calendar
As of June 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 2435.5 to 2672.8 GDD₃₂. Japanese Flowering Cherry has passed 'full bloom' (1497 GDD₃₂).
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Jun 3, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 2,673 | 'Full bloom' | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 2,665 | 'Full bloom' | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 2,610 | 'Full bloom' | — | — |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 2,570 | 'Full bloom' | — | — |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 2,535 | 'Full bloom' | — | — |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 2,533 | 'Full bloom' | — | — |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 2,436 | 'Full bloom' | — | — |
View full calendar (5 stages)
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| 'Flower buds visible' BBCH '51' | 807 | '' |
| 'First bloom' BBCH '61' | 847 | '' |
| 'Bud break' BBCH '07' | 1126 | '' |
| 'Leaf emergence' BBCH '11' | 1224 | '' |
| ● 'Full bloom' BBCH '65' NOW | 1497 Observed | '' |
Sources: 'NPN citizen science observations (WA+OR), n=21, median. services.usanpn.org' ; 'Field observation, Kent, WA (Kwanzan, 2026-04-21, n=1)' About GDD₃₂ →
Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Jun 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Jun 19, 2026, then climate normals.
