Mount Fuji Cherry

Mount Fuji Cherry (Prunus serrulata 'Mount Fuji')

Mount Fuji Cherry, also known as 'Shirotae', is a broad, spreading ornamental cherry famed for masses of pure white, semi-double, lightly fragrant blossoms in spring; layered, horizontal branching, glossy summer foliage, and warm fall color deliver four-season elegance for residential landscapes.

Distinctive Features

Large, snow-white flowers often with a hint of green at the center open on bare branches for a luminous canopy; graceful, tiered structure and polished, cherry-brown bark add architectural poise year-round.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun for strongest bloom and canopy density; light afternoon shade in hot-summer regions.
• Soil: Fertile, well-drained loam; tolerates light clay if drainage is improved.
• Water: Keep evenly moist during establishment; provide deep soaks in extended dry spells.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8.
• Mature Size: Typically 15 to 25 ft tall and 20 to 30 ft wide.
• Bloom Time: Mid spring, usually before or with leaf-out.
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral, about 6.0 to 7.0.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Luminous white bloom creates a dramatic spring statement near entries and lawns.
• Patio Shade: Broad, tiered crown provides dappled shade after flowering.
• Allee or Streetside: Repeating trees frame walks and drives with elegant spring color.
• Mixed Border: Four-season bark, bloom, and fall color add structure among shrubs and perennials.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Maintain consistent moisture the first 2 to 3 years; deep water in drought, allowing the surface to dry slightly between soakings.
• Pruning: Prune lightly just after flowering to refine layers; remove dead, crossing, or cankered wood and avoid heavy winter cuts.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring if growth is weak.
• Mulching: Spread 2 to 3 in of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it off the trunk.
• Notes: Site with good air flow to reduce leaf spot and mildew; monitor for aphids and borers; protect early buds from late frosts where possible.

Why Choose Mount Fuji Cherry?

• Snow-White Spectacle: Abundant, semi-double blossoms deliver classic spring brilliance.
• Graceful Architecture: Layered, horizontal branching reads elegant and refined.
• Seasonal Depth: Spring bloom, cooling summer shade, and warm fall foliage.
• Landscape Fit: Manageable size and spreading habit suit lawns, patios, and avenues.

Plant Mount Fuji Cherry where full sun and well-drained soil support reliable bloom and a serene, layered silhouette.