Akebono Flowering Cherry

The Akebono Flowering Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis ‘Akebono’) is a medium-sized flowering ornamental tree. It has an elegant form of upright branches when young before maturing into a more spreading, arching, rounded crown. This tree is known for its profusion of flowers in mid spring with large, semi-double, light pink flowers emerging and covering the bare branches. They fade to white as they mature before falling to the ground. The foliage then takes over the branches with their glossy, dark green summer color that erupts into golden yellow and orange in the fall. This tree has nice winter interest for its graceful growing habit and attractive light to dark gray bark covered in lenticels.  

The Akebono Flowering Cherry was selected as a seedling of Yoshino Flowering Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) and was introduced in 1925 by W.B. Clarke Nursery in California. Later in the 1930s, this nursery sent these seedlings over to Washington D.C. to be planted around the Tidal Basin. This cultivar is unique in its spreading crown and large, double flowers. It can be a gorgeous specimen standing on its own or could be planted closer to patios or decks for a beautiful shade tree. It does best in full sun and grows in moist, well-drained soils. Somewhat drought tolerant once established.