Japanese flowering cherry vs Japanese flowering cherry 'Kanzan'

Japanese flowering cherry and Japanese flowering cherry 'Kanzan' are often considered for the same spot in the garden (specimen, flowers). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Japanese flowering cherry

Prunus serrulata 4 m × 3 m after 10 years

A small ornamental tree grown for its spring blossom: in April and May it is smothered for a week or two in pink or white flowers, single or double…

Small tree

Full sun

Part shade

from about CZK 1,100

Japanese flowering cherry 'Kanzan'

Prunus serrulata 'Kanzan' 5 m × 4 m after 10 years

The best known Japanese flowering cherry: in late April and early May it is covered in fully double, vivid pink blossom, on a crown that is…

Small tree

Full sun

from about CZK 1,400

Key differences

Japanese flowering cherry 'Kanzan' grows larger: 5 m × 4 m after ten years, against 4 m × 3 m for Japanese flowering cherry (an estimate: sources differ).
Japanese flowering cherry 'Kanzan' also takes heavy clay, Japanese flowering cherry needs a loose, free-draining soil.

Which one to choose?

Japanese flowering cherry is the better choice if space is tight.

Japanese flowering cherry 'Kanzan' is the better choice if the soil is heavy clay.

Watch out for

Japanese flowering cherry

A short-lived tree that often declines after 15 to 25 years. In Central Europe the main trouble is blossom wilt and shoot dieback (Monilia): in wet springs the flowers brown and stay on the tree and shoot tips die, so cut back to healthy wood. Bacterial canker with gumming, shot hole and the cherry blackfly that curls the shoot tips are also common. Infections enter through wounds, so prune only when you must, and then in dry summer weather. The shallow roots can surface in lawns and in time lift nearby paving, so do not plant it right beside a path or terrace. It is grafted: remove any shoots that come from the rootstock (at the base, or from the stem of weeping forms) cleanly at their origin. The thin bark is easily damaged, so protect it from the strimmer.

Japanese flowering cherry 'Kanzan'

Prone to the usual flowering cherry troubles: blossom wilt, leaf spot, bacterial canker with gumming, silver leaf, plus aphids and scale. Infections enter through wounds, so prune only when necessary and then in dry summer weather. A short-lived tree that often declines after 15 to 25 years.

The data side by side

Feature	Japanese flowering cherry	Japanese flowering cherry 'Kanzan'
Group	Small tree	Small tree
Size after 10 years	4 m × 3 m (uncertain)	5 m × 4 m (uncertain)
Ultimate size	3–10 m × 1–7.6 m (uncertain)	7–12 m × 8–10 m
Growth rate	Medium	Medium
Light	Full sun, Part shade	Full sun
Soil	Average garden soil, Calcareous, Acidic	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Hardiness	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Foliage	Deciduous	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, pink, white	April–May, pink
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium	Medium
Maintenance	Medium	Medium
Planting distance	500 cm	600 cm
For dogs	Toxic	Toxic
For cats	Toxic	Toxic
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	about CZK 1,400 (100–150 cm)	about CZK 1,400 (100–150 cm)

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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