WSU Clark County Extension
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Shirofugen Flowering Cherry

Scientific name: Prunus serrulata ‘Shirofugen’
Taxonomy
Family:Rosaceae
Type:Deciduous tree
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:5 to 9
Plant Characteristics
Height:25 ft
Width:25 ft
Bloom Time:May to June
Bloom Color:White
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description All through areas west of the Cascades home gardeners love the spring progression of flowers from the different flowering cherry cultivars. 'Shirofugen' is the last one of the season to bloom and it is a beauty to behold with its white/pink petals.

  Morphology:
Shirofugen cherries are deciduous trees, growing to a height and spread of 15-20 ‘. The tree shape is considered spreading, and flat-topped. With time, older trees may grow branches that arch downward. The flowers are small (though they have as many as 20 - 36 petals), double, and are borne on long peduncle/pedicels in rather loose clusters. When the bloom first appears it is pink in the bud, but soon turns white as the petals open. At the end of the flowering period the petal color reverts to a pink-mauve with darker centers. Leaves are crimson-flushed bronze when young, but then turn green during the summer. Leaves are 4" long, lance-shaped and tapered. In the fall the leaves turn a bronze to red color for a short time before they are shed. The bark is typical of other flowering cherries with the prominent corky lenticels.

  Adaptation:
Widely adapted to most soil types.

  Pests:
Brown rot and leaf spot are the principal foliar diseases. Bacterial canker is the agent responsible for branch and trunk injury. To ensure good performance, plant flowering cherries on windy, well exposed sites in order that the foliage can dry out in the spring between rain showers.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
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