'Shirotae' Japanese Flowering Cherry Prunus serrulata 'Mount Fuji'
Other Common Name(s):
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
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
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
