North Japanese Hill Flowering Cherry

Prunus sargentii ‘Columnaris’

North Japanese Hill Flowering Cherry, scientifically named Prunus sargentii, is a tall and broad deciduous tree. Its new growth is characterized by a reddish or bronze color, which eventually turns into a shiny dark green. Arranged alternately, the obovate leaves have serrated margins and are 3–5 inches in length. During the fall season, the leaves transform into vibrant shades of red, orange, or yellow. This tree produces single pink flowers on 1-in pedicels, which later form small, pea-sized, purple-black fruits in the summer. These fruits are a popular food source for birds, but their size and color make them inconspicuous to humans.

USDA Zone: 4-7

Mature Height: 25’+ x 15′

Sun: Full Sun, Partial Shade

Bloom Time: April

Pollination: N/A

Rootstock: 

Photo: Prunus sargentii, 1928 accession (#794-28*B) Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. Photo courtesy of William (Ned) Friedman CC-BY-SA-4.0