It’s still blossom season
This week's tree is a true show-stealer. To illustrate this point, we should cast our minds back to 1912. Not that we can remember 1912 of course, but let us try for a moment.
It was two years before the Great War and William Howard Taft was the President of the United States of America. Tensions have been rising with Japan, so in an effort to relieve pressure, the Mayor of Japan gifted 3000 Cherry Trees to Washington DC. The gifts were commemorated by the planting ceremony of two trees, wielded by the First Lady, Helen Taft, and the Viscountess of Japan.
It was important to plant the most decorative tree and one of them was assuredly the Prunus serrulata Kanzan, full of rich double pink flowers, the cherry on the top. The ploy worked and the relationship between the USA and Japan literally blossomed.
To this day, Washington DC continues to hold a National Cherry Tree Blossom Festival every year, with the Prunus Kanzan Cherry holding centre stage. It should be noted that the solemn planting in 1912 was just six years before Richmond Harrison started this little family business and our own story began.
PRUNUS serrulata 'Kanzan' - Pink Flowering Cherry
The rich double flowers that emerge mid-later Spring are held in pendant-like clusters, their presence announcing the beginning of the season in the most beautiful way, with an almost effervescent quality. The bright colour of Spring gives way to a dark green in Summer with a density perfect for casting book-reading shadows below.
- Deciduous, with golden amber Autumn colours
- Ideal for planting along avenues or as a specimen tree
- Grows to approx. 8x4m
If you prefer weeping form trees, this one can be considered the Prunus Serrulata Kanzan twin, which we wonder if it was Washington DC’s second choice…
PRUNUS serrulata Kiku Shidare Sakura – Pink Weeping Cherry
Frilly clusters of clear, rick pink double flowers arch over on drooping branches. This show brings a visual delight to springtime, while the glossy bronze-green leaves reflect the light for a lively appearance.
-Deciduous, with orange and scarlet Autumn colours
-Ideal for gardens as feature planting
-Can grow up to 4x4m
