Belonging to the Prunus subg. Genus., the Cherry Blossom tree, is native to Japan and famous for its breathtakingly beautiful blooms. The Cherry Blossom is a medium-sized flowering spectacle, reaching between 40-50 feet tall. It prefers subtropical to temperate climates and is hardy to zones 5-8.
The Cherry Blossom has light pink to ivory blossoms in spring, offering a serene beauty.
Cherry Blossom is very adaptable! They grow well in full sun, partial sun, and mostly shaded areas. They need at least 4 hours of sun to thrive optimally. They tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions from sandy, loamy, or clay-based soils as long as the soil drains well.
Cherry Blossom needs moderate watering; they are mildly drought tolerant, but they cannot withstand severe or long-term droughts.
Cherry blossom is full of rich anti-oxidants and soothing properties. It cleanses and repairs the skin’s natural barriers to promote smooth, supple skin.
Related: Types of Flowers by Color | Types of Flowers by Alphabet | Types of Flower Colors | Berry Flowers
Kwanzan
Kwanzan is a deciduous tree from the Prunus serrulate genus. It is native to China, Korea, and Japan. Kwanzan is a moderately large tree hardy to zones 5-8, growing between 15-25 feet tall and 13- 26 feet wide.
Kwanzan is an upright-growing cherry tree with coppery colored leaves and beautiful double, pinkish-red blossoms.
The Cherry Blossom and Kwanzan have similar native regions, hardy zones, and appearance. The Kwanzan is reasonably small compared to the Cherry Blossom.
Kwanzan thrives in average, medium moisture, and well-drained soil. Kwanzan needs at least 6 hours of direct sun exposure and plenty of water.
Kwanzan is one of the best flowering ornamental trees.
Higan Cherry Tree
The Higan cherry tree is a deciduous hybrid belonging to Prunus subhirtella. This long-lived tree is native to Japan and hardy to zones 4-8. The Higan cherry tree can grow up to 60 feet tall.
Higan cherry trees have red-toned bark and a dark green canopy of foliage in summer. In fall, it turns into warm shades of yellow, gold, and red. Not to mention the burst of pink and white blossoms, borne in spring.
The Higan cherry needs 4 hours of sun exposure and tolerates most soil types, making it similar to the Cherry Blossom. The Higan cherry needs regular watering and lots of organic mulch.
Higan cherry trees are beautiful ornamental trees.
Crabapple
Crabapples are part of the Malus species, native to North America, Europe, and Asia. Crabapples range from 10-40 feet tall and hardy to zones 4-8.
The crabapple is valued for its spectacular spring blossoms. The blooms bud white to pink blossoms along with new, bright green, oval-shaped leaves in spring. From fall into winter, they display a colorful array of persistent fruit. Crabapple fruits are paris-green or gold, rouged with salmon-pink, coral, or cherry red cheeks.
Cherry Blossoms and crabapples both thrive in full sun and tend to be drought tolerant. However, the crabapple is best suited to temperate regions and needs at least 6 hours of full sun.
Crabapples need rich, moist, well-draining soil. Watering crabapples once a week is sufficient.
Crabapples are lovely ornamental trees. Their fruit contains sources of malic and tartaric acid, used for gout, fever, and indigestion.
‘Wolf Eyes’
‘Wolf Eyes’ is a popular cultivar of Cornus kousa. This gorgeous flowering deciduous tree is native to Japan, China, and Korea. ‘Wolf eyes’ has a hardy zone of 5-8 and grows up to 15 tall and 15 feet wide.
‘Wolf Eyes’ is a multi-stemmed shrub with green and creamy white margined leaves, featuring showy clusters of pinkish-white flowers during late spring. During fall, it lavishly displays crimson berries, and its leaves turn into hues of breath-taking mahogany-red.
Cherry Blossom and ‘Wolf Eyes’ are both tolerant of most well-draining soil types. Both trees thrive in full sun or partially shaded areas. ‘Wolf Eyes’ need consistent watering of about 1 inch per week.
‘Wolf Eyes’ is primarily used for ornamental purposes.
Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis, or the eastern redbud, is native to eastern North America from southern Michigan to central Mexico, east to New Jersey. It grows in hardy zones of 4-8 and matures at 30 feet tall.
The eastern redbud is a multi–trunked tree with horizontally tiered branches. In early spring, masses of rosy-pink blooms blanket the branches before green foliage appears, creating a picturesque view.
Eastern redbud tolerates a variety of soils, similar to the Cherry Blossom. Both thrive in full sun or partial shade. However, the eastern redbud does not tolerate full shade.
Eastern redbuds need to be planted in well-draining soil and watered weekly.
Eastern redbuds are most commonly used for ornamental purposes. The roots and inner bark have been used to treat whooping coughs.
Magnolia Kobus
Magnolia Kobus is a charming small tree native to forest areas in Japan. It is a deciduous flowering tree that is hardy to zones 5-8 and grows between 25-30 feet tall.
Magnolia Kobus, adored for its late-winter to early-spring blooms. Magnolia Kobus has cup-shaped, fragrant white blooms which open before its green leaves emerge. Later in the season, obovate, dark green leaves emerge. In fall, the tree displays yellowish leaves and sheds pods with red seeds.
Magnolia Kobus and Cherry Blossoms have similar hardy zones, tolerate moist, well-draining soils, and thrives in full sun or partial shade.
Magnolia Kobus prefers rich, loamy, well-drained soil and needs average watering of approximately 1 inch per week.
The leaves of Magnolia Kobus are used to make tea.
Smokebush
Smokebush belongs to the Cotinus coggygria genus. Native to Southern Europe and Central Africa, the deciduous shrub grows in hardy zones of 4-11 and grows 10-15 feet wide and 10-15 feet tall.
Smokebush is upright and multi-stemmed. In spring, rich maroon-red leaves emerge, later transfiguring into a deep wine color. Large, feathery pink flower plumes clothe the plant with fluffy, ‘smoke’ puffs during summer.
Smokebush thrives in various well-drained soil types similar to Cherry Blossom trees. However, the smoke bush needs full sun to thrive. Water your smoke bush moderately every 10 days for optimal growth.
Smokebush is used to treat hair loss, colitis, mouth inflammation, and gastric ulcers.
Sweet Cherry Tree
The sweet cherry belongs to the Prunus avium genus. It is a fruiting tree native to Asia, Africa, and Europe. The sweet cherry is hardy to zones 4-7 and can grow up to 65 feet tall.
The sweet cherry has smooth purplish-brown bark and twiggy branches. The tree produces corymbs of 2-6 blooms in spring, with snow-white petals and yellow stamens. New leaves in pale copper or dark green colors later emerge. They also produce delicious heart-shaped, reddish-purple fruit.
The sweet cherry tree has a similar appearance to the Cherry Blossom tree; however, the sweet cherry produces edible fruit and is slightly taller.
The sweet cherry is also tolerant of a wide range of soil varieties but prefers well-drained loamy soil. The sweet cherry thrives in full sun and only needs watering once every 3-4 weeks.
Sweet cherry trees are not only useful for their delicious fruit and aromatic resin. A decoction is used to treat cystitis, edema, bronchial complaints, and anemia.
Rose of Sharon
Hibiscus syriacus, commonly known as the rose of Sharon, is native to China and India. Rose of Sharon grows in hardy zones 5-9 and usually matures to 8-12 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide.
Rose of Sharon is a gorgeous shrub known for its large, profuse trumpet-shaped blooms with striking stamens that appear from summer to fall. Their wavy blooms have 1-2 layers of paper-like petals of white, red, lavender, and light blue.
Rose of Sharon and the Cherry Blossom tree tolerate various well-draining soil types and are reasonably drought tolerant.
Rose of Sharon prefers full sun but is tolerant of partial shade. Rose of Sharon is winter hardy, surviving temperatures down to -20°F.
The leaves and flowers of the rose of Sharon are used for diuretic purposes. It is also used to treat skin diseases and dizziness.
Flowering Quince
The flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) is native to Asia, with a hardy zone of 5-8. This deciduous shrub grows 6-10 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide.
Flowering quince is among the first shrubs to bravely defy the chill of late winter. It puts on a dazzling display of enchanting clusters of apple-blossom-shaped flowers in an array of soft pink, vermilion, salmon, and snow white. Once the blooms have started, glossy dark green leaves are welcomed. They bear small, greenish fruit which ripens in fall.
Flowering quince and Cherry Blossom have similar blooms and hardy zones of 5-8. Both thrive in most soil types, but the flowering quince prefers well-drained, loamy soil.
Flowering quince can grow in partial shade, but full sun is best. They are relatively drought-tolerant and only need occasional watering.
Flowering quince fruit can be used in preserves. It is also commonly used for dampness in the lower body.
Mountain Laurel
Mount laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is native to the woodlands of eastern North America. The shrub is hardy to zones 4-9 and matures to 5-15 feet tall and 5-15 feet wide.
Mount laurel is an evergreen shrub with gnarled stems and oval, glossy deep-green leaves. The blossoms light up woodlands and gardens in late spring with clusters of delicate, fused-petal blossoms, with arched stamens. The blossoms range in colors from white, pink, and red; and are tattooed with symmetrical maroon streaks.
Mount laurel is relatively drought-resistant and can grow in full sun or partial shade, similar to the Cherry Blossom. However, mount laurel prefers partially shaded areas.
Mount laurel ideally thrives in cool, rich, and well-drained soil.
The fresh or dried leaves of mount laurel are used in medicines to treat ringworms, psoriasis, herpes, and syphilis.
Weigela Bush
Weigela belongs to the Weigela florida genus. Weigela is a deciduous shrub native to Asia. It grows in hardy zones of 4-8 and grows 6-10 feet tall and 9-12 feet wide.
The weigela bush has glossy, oblong-shaped foliage with slightly serrated edges. The leaves are chartreuse, gold, burgundy, or deep purple. In spring, the weigela bush produces petite, tubular five-lobed flowers in red, pink, white, and yellow shades.
Similar to Cherry Blossom, weigela bushes tolerate a wide range of well-draining soil types.
Weigela bush needs at least 8 hours of full sunlight. Once mature, water it occasionally during drought periods.
The weigela bush is commonly used for ornamental purposes.
Winter Heath
Winter heath (Erica carnea) is native to the mountainous areas of central, eastern, and southern Europe. Winter heath is hardy to zones 5-7 and grows to 6-12 inches tall and 18 inches wide.
Winter heath has needle-like foliage and is one of the earliest bloomers. In winter, winter heath showcases masses of pink, bell-shaped blooms that later deepen into a shade of light purple.
Winter heath tolerate a variety of well-drained soil types, making it similar to the Cherry Blossom.
Winter heath performs best in full sun but welcomes partially shaded areas. It is winter hardy and drought tolerant; winter hazel only needs occasional watering.
The showy, evergreen winter heath is used for its ornamental purposes.
‘Arnold Promise’ Witch Hazel
Hamamelis × intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’ is a flowering shrub native to Japan and China, commonly known as witch hazel. Witch hazel has a hardy zone of 5-8 and grows to about 12-15 feet tall and 12-15 feet wide.
‘Arnold Promise’ is an upright shrub sporting broad, oval green leaves. ‘Arnold Promise’ has fragrant, spidery bright yellow flowers from winter to early spring. Each flower has 4 ribbon-like petals that curl up on cold days and unfurl their crinkled petals on warmer days.
‘Arnold Promise’ has a similar hardy zone to the Cherry Blossom tree. Both grow in full sun to part shade, but the ’Arnold Promise’ has better blooms receiving 6 hours of sun.
Shrubs like the ‘Arnold Promise’ prefer organically rich and well-drained soil and only require water in droughts.
Witch hazel has benefits like relieving inflammation, reducing skin irritations, and treating acne.
Golden Bells
Golden bells belong to the Forsythia spp., genus. They are flowering shrubs native to Asia. Golden bells have hardiness zones of 5-8 and grow 2-10 feet tall, depending on the variety.
Golden bells are known for their long, stiffly stretching branches with a profusion of bright yellow blooms in early spring. A truly spectacular sight to see!
Golden bells are tolerant of a wide variety of soil types, similar to the Cherry Blossom tree. They are both tolerant of full sun or partial shade, and they also have similar hardy zones.
Golden bells prefer loose, well-draining soil. Golden bells are happiest in 6 hours of full sun and temperatures ranging between 55°F-70°F. They are relatively drought-tolerant but do need watering occasionally.
The fruit of golden bells is used for infections, chills, fevers, headaches, or muscle soreness.
Silk Floss Tree
The silk floss tree belongs to the family Ceiba speciosa. Silk floss trees are grand ornamental trees native to South America. They have hardiness zones of 9-11 and grow up to 50 feet tall.
Silk floss trees are considered one of the most beautiful trees in the world. When in full bloom, the silk floss has large, flimsy pink flowers with white centers cascading from its green branches. Their flowers are followed by large pods with fluffy fibers that protect the seeds.
The silk floss and Cherry Blossom grow up to 50 feet tall and adapt to most well-drained soil types. The silk floss tree prefers more sun, requiring 6-8 hours of sun daily. Silk floss trees are drought tolerant and only need occasional watering.
The cotton fibers from the silk floss tree are used to stuff the insides of pillows and cold-weather clothing.
Daphne Shrub
Daphne spp. is a genus of flowering shrubs native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Daphne is a rounded evergreen shrub with a 4-9 hardy zone and grows 3-5 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide.
Daphne has leathery, dark green, and cream variegated foliage, with a delightful, sweet-scented cluster of pinkish tubular flowers in mid-spring. The blossoms mature into tiny bright red berries.
Daphne thrives in full sun to shaded areas and most soil types, much like the Cherry Blossom tree. However, the trees are different in appearance. Daphne prefers well-drained, composted soil and needs at least 1 inch of water weekly.
Daphne shrubs are planted for their ornamental purposes.
Saucer Magnolia
Saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangiana) is a famous flowering tree or large shrub native to China. It has hardiness zones of 4-9. Saucer magnolia grows 20-30 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide.
Saucer magnolia is a spreading tree adorned with a profusion of fragrant flowers during spring. The large cup-shaped flowers are white, pink, magenta, or purple. As they open, they gracefully reveal their white interiors, creating a bicolor effect.
Saucers thrive in well-drained clay, loamy or sandy soil, similar to the Cherry Blossom tree. Saucer magnolias are best planted in full sun or partial shade and need watering weekly for optimal growth.
Saucers are mainly used as focal points in gardens.
Purple-leaf Sand Cherry
Prunus x cisterna, commonly known as purple-leaf sand cherry, is an ornamental cherry tree native to North America. It grows in a hardy zone of 2-8 and reaches 6-10 feet tall and 5-8 feet wide.
Purple leaf sand cherry, chosen for its eye-catching plum purple foliage. It has ovate leaves with serrated margins, and in spring, it produces fragrant, solitary white flowers with pink tints. These flowers give way to small blackish-purple fruit during mid-summer.
Purple leaf sand cherry has similar blooms to the Cherry Blossom, but its foliage looks completely different. The purple leaf cherry can also thrive in any type of well-drained soil.
Purple leaf sand cherry should be grown in full to partial sun. It is not drought tolerant and needs regular watering.
Purple leaf sand cherry trees are mainly used for their ornamental purposes, but their fruit is also used to make jam and jellies.
White Ash Tree
Fraxinus Americana, the white ash tree, is a handsome tree native to eastern North America. The white ash tree is hardy to zones 3-9 and grows up to 60-80 feet tall.
The white ash tree gets its name from the pale white undersides of its otherwise dark green leaves, which provide exquisite fall colors ranging from yellow to deep purple and red in the fall. The tree also features grayish bark and orange berry clusters.
Similar to the Cherry Blossom tree, the white ash tree is relatively drought tolerant and can grow in a wide variety of soil types. The white ash tree differs in physical appearance and prefers at least 6 hours of full sun.
The white ash tree shades many parks and yards. The tree has also been used to make baseball bats.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangea spp., or commonly known as hydrangea, is native to Asia and the Americas. Most hydrangeas are shrubs that grow up to 15 feet tall, with a hardiness of 3-9.
Hydrangeas have thick, luscious green leaves with large, round clusters of tiny flowers that come in a wide array of colors like bright blue, purple, deep red, pink, pale green, and white.
Hydrangeas are versatile shrubs that thrive in most soil types, making them similar to Cherry Blossoms. However, hydrangeas prefer relatively mild temperatures. Hydrangeas thrive in the morning sun and partial afternoon shade. Hydrangeas prefer deep watering at least once a week.
Hydrangeas are not only used for ornamental purposes. The root and underground stem are used to make medicine used for urinary tract problems.
Rosy Trumpet Tree
Tabebuia rosea is a neotropical tree native to the American tropics and subtropics from Mexico and the Caribbean to Argentina. They are hardy to zones 10-12 and grow to 65-98 feet tall.
Rosy trumpets have a coniform trunk with vertically cracked greyish bark and compound leaves with smooth edges and webbed arrangements. During spring, rosy trumpets have almost no leaves with a flame of white, light pink, violet, or lavender, dainty flowers.
Rosy trumpets grow well in well-drained sandy, loamy, or clay-based soil, similar to the Cherry Blossom tree. Different from the Cherry Blossom, they cannot grow in the shade. Rosy trumpet trees need the sun to thrive and grow best in temperatures of 70F°-90F°.
Rosy trumpet trees are medicinally used to treat anemia, constipation, fevers, and pain.
Persimmon tree
Diospyros virginiana, persimmons are deciduous trees native to eastern North America. They are hardy to zones 4-9 and grow 35-50 feet tall.
The persimmon tree is grown for its beautiful foliage and yummy fruit. It has thick, glossy, blue-green leaves and white or pink, bell-shaped flowers in spring, later yielding gorgeous orange fruit with an unusual vibrant flavor.
The persimmon tolerates all soil, similar to the Cherry Blossom tree. Both trees bloom in spring and have similar blossom colors (white/pink).
Full sun is best for growing persimmons. Persimmons are hardy trees that only need watering during arid seasons.
Persimmons are generally grown for their fruit.
Purple Leaf Plum
The purple leaf plum (Prunus cerasifera) is native to Europe and Asia. It is a relatively small tree growing 15-25 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide. The purple leaf plum is hardy to zones 5-8.
The purple leaf plum is an ornamental tree famous for its rich purple foliage. It produces fragrant, five-petaled pale pink or white flowers in the spring, which later turn into small edible fruits.
The purple leaf plum has hardiness zones of 5-8 and can grow in various well-draining soil types, similar to the Cherry Blossom. These two trees have similar blossoms but different foliage.
The purple leaf plum is hardy down to 0°F. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers a moderate amount of moisture.
The purple leaf plum tree is primarily grown for its ornamental purposes.
The Empress Tree
Paulownia tomentosa is a deciduous tree native to China. The empress tree is hardy to zones 5-8 and matures to 30-40 feet tall.
The empress tree is a fast-growing tree, primarily grown for its fragrant spring blooms of foxglove-like flowers and heart-shaped foliage. Its flowers are funnel-shaped and a pinkish-lavender color, with interior dark purple spots and creamy yellow striping. The blooms are followed by woody seed capsules that emerge sticky green and ripen to brown in fall.
It is adaptable to most soil types, making it similar to the Cherry Blossom tree.
Empress trees are very hardy and easily withstand cold temperatures. They need moderate watering and at least 6hours of full sun to thrive.
The empress tress is grown for its ornamental purposes.
References:
The Tree Center: The Best Places to Plant the Cherry Blossom Tree
Reliance Foundry Co. Ltd.: Cherry Blossoms
AUB Landscape Plant Database: Tabebuia rosea
The Spruce: Gardening
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