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'Mt. Fuji' Flowering Cherry Prunus serrulata 'Mount Fuji'

Previously known as:

  • Prunus serrulata 'Shirotae'
Phonetic Spelling
PROO-nus ser-u-LAH-ta
Description

'Mount Fuji' is a beautiful flowering cherry tree cultivar that has showy pendulous clusters of white, fragrant, semi-double flowers. The young leaves are pale green, deeply serrated with pointed tips, and appear bronze-tinged as they unfold.  It is a small upright deciduous tree that has a spreading horizontal crown and arching branches which makes it appear umbrella-like. The bark is smooth, reddish-brown, and adds winter interest to the landscape. This cultivar generally lives 15 to 25 years. It is a member of the Rosaceae or rose family. 

This cultivar is also known as 'Shirotae,' which means "white cloth" in Japanese. It was introduced in the 19th century but was exported to Europe and the United States in the 20th century under the name, 'Mount Fuji.' It has received the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society. 

The genus name, Prunus, is Latin and means "plum tree." The species name, serrulata, references its serrated leaves.

'Mount Fuji' performs best in full sun with moist, well-drained soils. It is tolerant of most soil types and is hardy from zones 5 to 8. Good air circulation and sun exposure will help prevent some plant problems.

Flowering occurs from late March to April before the leaves emerge. The buds of the flowers are pink, but the flower blossoms are white. The flowers turn a blush pink at petal drop. The leaves of this cultivar have very distinctive traits. They can measure up to 7 inches long and have a very pointed tip. The serrate margins are so sharp that they appear to have hair-like projections.

For magnificent spring blossoms, consider the 'Mount Fuji' in the home landscape. Consider this tree as an accent, specimen, patio, or lawn planting. It could also be used in cottage gardens, borders along entryways, or Asian gardens. 

Seasons of Interest:

Bark: Winter       Bloom: Spring         Foliage:  Spring, Summer, and Fall

Quick ID HInts:

  • small deciduous tree with cascading umbrella habit
  • smooth, reddish-brown bark
  • young leaves pale green, elliptical, pointed tips, serrated margins with long hair-like projections
  • mature leaves are 7 to 8 inches long, dark green, and turn orangish-red for fall
  • pink flower buds, white fragrant, semi-double flowers arranged in pendulous clusters
  • blush or soft pink petals as the petals drop

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: 'Mount Fuji' is prone to disease and insect problems. It is susceptible to aphids, borers, scale, spider mites, leaf-mining moths, bullfinches, and caterpillars. Leaf spot, twig cankers, black knot, silver leaf, blossom wilt, and powdery mildew may occur.

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

More information on Prunus serrulata.

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Tags:
#cultivars#showy flowers#small tree#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#specimen#white flowers#spring flowers#cottage garden#flowering tree#street tree#lawn tree#spreading#cascading#semi-double flowers#deciduous tree#green leaves#bird friendly#fall color#erect#landscape plant sleuths course#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#cultivars#showy flowers#small tree#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#specimen#white flowers#spring flowers#cottage garden#flowering tree#street tree#lawn tree#spreading#cascading#semi-double flowers#deciduous tree#green leaves#bird friendly#fall color#erect#landscape plant sleuths course#meadow
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Prunus
    Species:
    serrulata
    Family:
    Roseaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Wildlife Value:
    This small tree can provide shelter for birds but otherwise has little value to wildlife.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Fragrance
    Dimensions:
    Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The buds are pink and emerge before the leaves. The flowers are cup-shaped, fragrant, white, semi-double, and measure 2 to 2.5 inches in diameter. They appear in April as pendulous clusters of three blooms. The blooms turn soft pink at the time of petal drop. On young trees, the blossoms are generally single. The blossoms have an almond fragrance.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The young leaves are pale green with a bronze tinge when unfolding. They are elliptical with deeply serrated margins and have a tapering point. The leaves measure 7 to 8 inches long. They become dark green during the summer and have shades of orange and red during the fall.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    The bark is reddish-brown and smooth.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Flowering Tree
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Songbirds