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Kanzan Cherry

Prunus 'Kanzan'

The Pink Explosion: Prunus 'Kanzan' (Japanese Flowering Cherry)


The Snapshot

  • Common Name: Kanzan Cherry, Kwanzan Cherry

  • Scientific Name: Prunus serrulata 'Kanzan'

  • Origin: Japan (Introduced to the US in the early 20th century)

  • Hardiness: Zones 5 – 9

  • The "Vibe": Glamorous, romantic, and theatrical; the "prom queen" of the spring landscape.

Why It’s a Jersey Icon

  • The "Double" Bloom: Unlike the single-petaled Yoshino cherry, 'Kanzan' features double flowers (up to 30 petals per bloom!). They hang in heavy, pendulous clusters that look like pink popcorn or small roses.

  • Vase-Shaped Form: It naturally grows in a "V" shape with upright-spreading branches. This makes it an excellent street tree or garden focal point because it doesn't block the view at eye level.

  • The "Snow" Effect: When the blooms finally fade in late May, they don't just disappear; they carpet the ground in a thick, romantic layer of pink "snow."

  • Bronze Foliage: The new leaves emerge a stunning coppery-bronze color just as the flowers are peaking, providing a sophisticated color contrast.

Designer Tips: Where to Plant

  • The "Boulevard" Effect: Plant a row of 'Kanzan' cherries along a driveway or property line. In May, you’ll have a literal tunnel of pink.

  • The Corner Specimen: Use its vase-like shape to frame a house corner. The upright branches draw the eye upward without feeling "heavy."

  • The Lawn Focal Point: It is one of the best trees for the center of a front lawn. It provides shade in the summer and a breathtaking show in the spring.

Designer Pro-Tip: Because 'Kanzan' is sterile (it doesn't produce messy fruit), it is the perfect tree for planting near patios, decks, or pools. You get all the beauty of a fruit tree without the "sticky" sidewalk cleanup in the fall.


Ecosystem & Wildlife Impact

  • Early Pollinators: While double-flowered plants have less accessible nectar than single-flowered ones, 'Kanzan' still provides an early spring food source for Honeybees and Native Bees.

  • Butterfly Support: It serves as a nectar stop for the first emerging Spring Azures and Tiger Swallowtails.

  • Nesting Habitat: The dense, upright branching is a favorite for Robins and Cardinals looking for a secure nesting site.

Stories from the Garden

"Every year, my Kanzan cherry is the talk of the neighborhood. It looks like someone glued thousands of pink roses to the branches. When the wind blows and the petals fall, my kids pretend they're in a fairy tale. It’s the happiest tree I’ve ever planted."

— Maria V., Zone 6 Gardener (Cherry Hill, NJ)

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