There’s no more iconic flowering tree than a cherry blossom tree. Many people come from all over the world to see Japan’s famous cherry trees in bloom every spring. The flowers are called sakura in Japanese. Their flowers are pretty, smell nice, and are truly magical when the petals start to fall off in fluffy clouds of pastel pink. You don’t have to go to Japan to see that beauty, though—you can grow a Japanese cherry blossom tree in your own yard.
There are now hundreds of different kinds of flowering cherry trees, each with its own size, shape, color of blooms, and level of hardiness. That means that you can almost certainly find a cherry blossom tree that will look great in your yard, no matter where you live. There are so many beautiful cherry trees out there, and we’ve put together a list of our favorites to help you find the right one (or several!) for your home.
Cherry blossoms hold a special place in gardener’s hearts with their explosion of spring flowers. But what if you want that dreamy look in your landscape without the hassle of growing real (and often fussy) cherries? Luckily many trees mimic the bloom and form of cherries letting you recreate that magical look. Keep reading for 10 great options!
Flowering Cherry Varieties
While finicky for some regions flowering cherries like Kwanzan and Yoshino remain top choices for sheer flower power
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Kwanzan – Vigorous grower with huge pink double blossoms in spring. Max height around 30 feet.
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Yoshino – Fragrant almond-scented white to pale pink flowers. Grows 20-30 feet.
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Shirofugen – Vase-shaped form with loads of frilly, fragrant, pink double blooms. 15-25 feet tall.
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Akebono – Abundant soft pink bloom andreddish bark. Grows 15-25 feet high and wide.
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Snow Fountain – Cascading branches smothered in white blooms. Weeping form 8-10 feet high and wide.
Ornamental Cherries
Several non-fruiting ornamental cherry hybrids offer gorgeous blooms without the mess and maintenance of fruit:
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Okame – Early pink bloom, reddish leaves, and peeling bark. Grows 15-25 feet tall and wide.
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Accolade – Semi-double, light pink flowers. Upright form, 20-30 feet high.
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** Autumnalis** – Unique reblooming with rose flowers again in fall. Grows 20-25 feet tall.
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Royal Burgundy – Deep reddish-purple leaves all season. Light pink blooms. Grows 15-20 feet high.
Crabapples
These spring-flowering beauties offer white to pink hues along with ornamental fruits:
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Spring Snow – Abundant fragrant white flowers smother weeping branches. Max 15 feet tall.
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Brandywine – Pale pink double blooms on a rounded form. Grows 15-20 feet high and wide.
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Prairifire – Deep pinkish-red buds open to bright pink blooms. Grows 15-20 feet high.
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Sugar Tyme – Clusters of short-lived white blooms followed by edible mini fruits. Grows 15 feet tall.
Other Cherry Lookalikes
Some additional trees share the delicate, fleeting beauty of cherries:
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Flowering Almond – Clouds of pink and white blossoms on a low, spreading form. Grows 8-12 feet high.
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Magnolia – Deciduous magnolias like Saucer have huge fuzzy pinkish-white blooms. Grows 20-30 feet tall.
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Redbud – Profuse pink to lavender blooms line bare branches in early spring. Grows 15-25 feet tall.
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Dogwood – Showy white or pink flower bracts in spring on horizontal tiers. Grows 15-30 feet tall.
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Pear – Ornamental pear varieties have loads of white flowers in early spring. Grows 20-45 feet tall.
Key Differences From Cherries
While all mimicking the cherry aesthetic, alternatives have some key differences:
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Bloom time – Most bloom shortly after cherries rather than exactly the same time.
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Flower structure – Cherries have 5-petaled, open blooms while some alternatives like magnolias have thicker petals.
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Flower color – Varies more from white to pinks, purples, and reds compared to mostly white to light pink cherries.
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Form – Cherries are almost exclusively rounded while alternatives include weeping, vase-shape, columnar, and more.
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Fruit – Cherries produce edible fruits, though with big pits. Alternatives may have berry-like fruits, seed pods, or no fruit.
Growing Tips
Follow these tips for success growing your cherry lookalike:
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Select disease-resistant cultivars when available. This is critical for flowers like crabapples.
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Choose self-pollinating varieties unless planting multiple for cross-pollination.
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Plant in full sun for best flowering and fruiting.
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Prune strategically in late winter to improve flowering, shape, and health.
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Water during dry periods to help flowering and growth.
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Apply fertilizer or compost in early spring to support lush blooms.
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Watch for pests like borers, tent caterpillars, and Japanese beetles.
Designing With Cherry-Lookalikes
Use cherry-lookalike trees in your landscape design in these fun ways:
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As a stand-alone focal point in a front yard or other prominent spot.
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Lined up along a driveway, walkway, or property border for a cohesive look.
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In a spring-flowering grove or orchard with multiple varieties mixed together.
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As an elegant, flowering lawn specimen. Leave space toHighlight weeping and cascading forms.
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In containers on a patio, deck, or balcony for up-close viewing.
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Along with spring bulbs like daffodils and tulips under the blooming canopy.
Enjoy Fleeting Cherry Beauty
For gorgeous yet graceful spring blooms, cherry lookalikes are sure to deliver. Their ephemeral flowers represent nature’s annual renewal. Choose the right tree for your space to paint your landscape pink or white when spring blossoms burst. Then sit back and admire the beauty while it lasts!
FAQs About Cherry-Like Trees
Here are answers to some common questions about growing cherry alternatives:
Q: Do any trees smell like cherry blossoms?
A: Yoshino cherry and saucer magnolia have light, almond-like fragrances. But most alternatives lack the distinct cherry scent.
Q: What’s a good flowering cherry tree for small yards?
A: Compact options like ‘Snow Fountain’ weeping cherry, ‘Akebono’ cherry, or ‘Spring Snow’ crabapple work well. Also consider prunus mume.
Q: How fast do Yoshino cherry trees grow?
A: Yoshino cherries grow at a moderate pace, adding 1-2 feet of height per year once established until they reach their 20-30 foot mature size.
Q: What’s the most cold hardy flowering cherry?
A: The Accolade cherry is one of the most cold hardy, surviving down to -25° F once established. Check mature hardiness ranges when selecting.
Q: Do crabs apples attract bees?
A: Yes, crabapple trees are magnets for pollinators like bees and butterflies while in bloom, giving weeks of foraging. Plant away from high-traffic areas.
Our Top Cherry Blossom Tree Varieties
They are a beautiful and classy type of cherry tree because they have the delicate flowers of a classic cherry tree and the dramatic, sweeping branches of a weeping willow. There are many types of weeping cherry trees, some with single or double pink or white flowers, and even dwarf types that are good for small spaces.
The weeping cherry will thrive in most temperate climates with just some well-draining soil and annual fertilizing. They may require slightly more pruning than other cherry varieties because they are a grafted tree. In other words, the weeping branches you want come from the tree’s top, while a different type is used as rootstock at the bottom. Any branches growing off the base should be pruned to maintain the tree’s appearance.
- Mature height: 15-25 ft.
- Mature width: 15-25 ft.
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Hardiness zones: 5-8
When it comes to sheer number of flowers, the Kwanzan flowering cherry is hard to beat. Each spring, its branches are covered in big clusters of pink flowers that can last for weeks. This bright piece of art is a great focal point tree anywhere you want a splash of pink that will turn into beautiful golden leaves in the fall.
Kwanzan cherries are quite hardy and can tolerate a wide range of climates. They reach an impressive height, and given time, they’ll become a showstopping feature of your landscape.
- Mature height: 30-40 ft.
- Mature width: 30-40 ft.
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Hardiness zones: 5-9
The stunning white flowers of the Yoshino cherry tree have a starring role in Washington, D. C. There’s a reason it’s called the National Cherry Blossom Festival: these beautiful trees have so many fluffy white blooms that they look like clouds have fallen from the sky. They will give your yard the same romantic look.
The Yoshino cherry does well in most types of soil and doesn’t need much care other than fertilizer once a year and watering once in a while if it gets dry between rains. Their full height will tower above most of your plants and become a beautiful centerpiece of your landscape.
- Mature height: 40-50 ft.
- Mature width: 25-40 ft.
- Sunlight: Full to partial sun
- Hardiness zones: 5-8
The Okame cherry tree blooms so early that its branches are often covered in pink flowers before its leaves even show up. This tree has clusters of big, fragrant, deep pink flowers—each petal can be up to an inch wide! In the fall, the leaves turn a fiery mix of red, orange, and yellow.
Okame cherries will flourish in well-draining soil with regular application of nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Cut off the dying flowers and fruits to help the tree grow well next year, and you’ll have a beautiful, colorful tree for years to come.
- Mature height: 20-30 ft.
- Mature width: 20-30 ft.
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Hardiness zones: 6-9
What Makes Cherry Blossom Trees Special?
One of the first signs of spring is the soft pink color of cherry blossoms. After a long winter, color returns to your landscape. These trees bloom in early spring and are beautiful when they’re in bloom. They’re also lush and green in the summer, covered in bright leaves in the fall, and striking even in the winter as their branches age and form impressive sculptures.
Cherry trees now come in a wider range of shapes and sizes, such as dwarf trees for small spaces and cascading weeping cherry trees. The flowers can also be white, pale pink, or bright saturated pink. The foliage colors in fall can be vibrant red, orange, yellow, and purple. Some varieties even have colorful bark to add visual interest to every part of the tree. The sweet cherries we buy at the store don’t grow on ornamental cherry trees. Instead, most of them produce tart and sour cherries that wild birds love.
Best of all, cherry trees are relatively low maintenance and a versatile landscaping plant. They look great as a single tree, a pair of trees flanking a door or driveway, or even a small grove for the most spring flowers and color. You can’t go wrong with a cherry tree as long as you choose a type that will do well in your area. There are so many types to choose from that you’re sure to find the right one for you.
