Prunus x yedoensis 'Akebono'

 'Akebono' is a stunning flowering Japanese cherry tree cultivar that has soft pink flowers that fade to white when they fully open. Their leaves are glossy, dark green, and the margins are doubly serrate to serrate. Fall foliage appears in warm shades of yellow and orange. This small deciduous tree is upright with a rounded crown when young. As the tree ages, the habit appears more spreading and horizontal. The tree measures 25 to 35 feet tall and 25 to 40 feet wide. It is a member of the Rosaceae or rose family.

This cultivar was introduced in 1925 by W.B. Clarke Nursery in San Jose, California. In the 1930s, seedlings of this cultivar were donated and planted around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. 

The genus name, Prunus, is Latin and means "plum tree." The cultivar's name, 'Akebono,' is Japanese and means "daybreak." In Japan, this cultivar is called 'Amerika.' 

'Akebono' performs best in full sun, moist, and well-drained soils. It is more drought-tolerant once it is established. It prefers acidic soils and does well in clay, sand, and loam. 

This tree has attractive light to dark gray bark with prominent lenticels that adds winter interest to the garden. The spring flowers emerge before the leaves and maybe single, double, or semi-double. The leaves appear narrower and shorter than another cultivar known as 'Mount Fuji.' 'Akebono' has small black drupes that are attractive to birds during the winter months.

Mildly fragrant, delicate, showy flowers and a canopy of blossoms will add interest to a lawn, patio, or walkway in the spring. The dark green foliage of summer and the golden yellow leaves of fall will additional beauty to the landscape.

Seasons of Interest:

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

Quick ID Hints:

• small deciduous tree with upright branching when young and horizontal branching with age
• light gray to dark gray bark with prominent lenticels
• dark green, ovate to elliptical, 2 to 4 inches long
• yellow fall foliage with orange highlights
• soft pink flowers that fade to white with a mild fragrance
• small round black drupes

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: 'Akebono' is susceptible to disease and insect problems. Pests include aphids, borers, scales, spider mites, and tent caterpillars. Leaf spot, twig cankers, verticillium wilt, black knot, crown rot, root rot, phytophthora, and powdery mildew can occur. This species may be susceptible to witch's broom and pruning will help control the disease. It is reportedly, one of the most disease-resistant specimens of the flowering cherry trees.

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