Yoshino Flowering Cherry

Yoshino cherry (Prunus x yedoensis)

Species

Prunus x yedoensis

Family

Rosaceae

Campus Location

The main grove is south of the Legislative Building. A second, smaller grove is northeast of the Tivoli fountain by the Isaac Stevens homesite.

Native Range

Garden hybrid

Description

  • Deciduous, growing 20-30 feet tall and 30-40 feet wide.
  • The Yoshino cherry trees are among the first Capitol trees to bloom each spring, with millions of airy flowers that are shaded from pale pink to white.
  • Susceptible to the cherry tortrix beetle and foliar fungal diseases.
  • Landscape uses include patio or deck tree, as well as specimen and plantings in parks.

History and significance:
The grove of 40 Yoshino trees was donated to Washington in 1984 by Mitsuo Mutai, head of Tokyo's Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper and a native of Yoshino, Japan.

Other Resources