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Higan Cherry 'Autumnalis Rosea' Prunus x subhirtella 'Autumnalis Rosea'

Previously known as:

  • Cerasus x subhirtella 'Autumnalis Rosea'
Description

Rosebud Cherry 'Autumnalis Rosea' is a Japanese ornamental deciduous tree that is a cultivar of Prunus x subhirtella or Higan Cherry. The parent tree is medium size and grows 40-50 feet tall. It is a naturally occurring hybrid and is rarely sold. 'Autumnalis Rosea' can easily be purchased and is generally a smaller tree, measuring 20-30 feet tall. It has an upright spreading to rounded habit and lives longer than most Japanese ornamental cherries. The flowers are delicate pale pink clusters of blossoms and have a long blooming season from late fall to early spring.

The tree is native to Japan and has been introduced in the United States.

The genus name, Prunus, is Latin and means "plum" or "cherry tree." The species name, subhirtella, means "somewhat hairy."

'Autumnalis Rosea'  produces the best flowering in full sun. It prefers medium moist and well-drained soils and tolerates loam, clay, or sandy soils. The tree requires very little maintenance, but it may be pruned as needed. It is propagated by budding or grafting. Softwood cuttings may be taken in early summer. 

The tree produces redbuds which form mass clusters of semi-double pale pink flowers in April. The blooms are non-fragrant and turn white as they mature. The flowers are followed by pea-sized black fruits that measure less than 0.5 inches in diameter. They mature in late summer and attract birds. After the flowers fade, medium to dark green leaves appear that are lanceolate to ovate in shape and measure from 2-4 inches long.  In the fall the leaves transform into shades of bronze or golden yellow before shedding. The bark is chocolate brown in color.

'Autumnalis Rosea' attracts hummingbirds and has a moderate drought tolerance. 

This showy flowering deciduous tree may be used as a specimen or in a group. The canopy of the tree offers shade and performs well in mixed borders, patio gardens, or lawns. The delicate blooms in the spring and the sparse flowering in the fall are a lovely accent in a Japanese Garden or Cottage Garden.

Quick ID Hints:

  • 20-30 feet tall, deciduous, ornamental, flowering tree with upright spreading to rounded  habit
  • redbuds to delicate semi-double pale pink clusters of flowers in the spring and minimal flowers in the fall
  • black pea-sized fruits appear after flowering and mature in late summer
  • medium green to dark green lanceolate to ovate, simple, serrated leaves measuring 2-4 inches long
  • chocolate brown bark

Diseases, Pests, and Other Problems:

'Autumnalis Rosea' has good disease resistance. It may be susceptible to silver leaf, bacterial canker, and blossom wilt. Possible insects that may be problematic include caterpillars and leaf-mining moths.

More information on Prunus x subhirtella.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Souto Sun Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#shade tree#specimen#pink flowers#fall interest#cottage garden#flowering tree#black fruits#Asian garden#deciduous tree#small group plantings#ornamental tree#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#shade tree#specimen#pink flowers#fall interest#cottage garden#flowering tree#black fruits#Asian garden#deciduous tree#small group plantings#ornamental tree#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Prunus
    Family:
    Roseaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Grafting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Japan
    Distribution:
    Native: Japan; Introduced: United States--DC, IL, NY, OH, VA
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts hummingbirds.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Shade
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Moderate drought tolerance
    Dimensions:
    Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Pea-sized fleshy black fruits appear in the fall and attract birds. The fruit measures less than 0.5 inches in diameter.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are delicate clusters of semi-double pale pink blooms that fade to white as they mature. They are nonfragrant and bloom primarily in the spring. There may be sparse flowering in the fall. Each bloom measures about 0.5 inches wide.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are medium to dark green and measure 2 to 4 inches long. They are alternate, simple, and lanceolate to ovate in shape. The margins are serrated. The leaves become showy and yellow in the fall.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Bark Description:
    The bark is chocolate brown in color.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stem color is brown.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Flowering Tree
    Shade Tree
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought