4 named cultivars

tree

Higan Cherry

Prunus subhirtella

$80.33

The Story

Plant Bio

Prunus subhirtella, Higan cherry, is a deciduous flowering cherry native to Japan, reaching forty to fifty feet with an erect spreading crown. Small pale pink to white cup-shaped flowers smother the bare branches in early spring, followed by doubly serrated leaves and pea-sized black drupes that birds take quickly.

It is the longest-lived and most cold-hardy of the ornamental cherries, and the autumn-flowering forms open a scattering of blossom in mild spells from November onward as well as their main spring display. Weeping selections are far more commonly sold than the upright species, and behave quite differently.

Uses & Benefits:

Clouds of pale pink blossom on bare branches, with autumn-flowering forms adding winter bloom.

The hardiest and longest-lived ornamental cherry, outlasting the Yoshino and Kwanzan types.

Early nectar for bees; the small black fruit is taken quickly by songbirds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

540 inches

Width

360 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Japan

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Nature Hills

In Stock$80.33

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in autumn or early spring in moist, well-drained soil.
Choose full sun for the heaviest flowering.
Allow twenty to forty feet of spread for the species.
Water through the first two seasons.
Prune only after flowering, and minimally.
Avoid wounding the trunk, which invites canker.

Pro Tip

Prune as little as possible and only after flowering — ornamental cherries respond badly to heavy cuts and canker enters through large wounds.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in full sun for best bloom ☀️
Prune lightly, after flowering ✂️
Give it room; the species is a large tree 🌳
Keep mowers away from the trunk 🚫

Don't

Prune hard or in winter ❌
Wound the trunk ❌
Confuse the weeping form with the upright species ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monitor
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Spring-blossom specimen treeLawn and parkland plantingWeeping form as a focal point

Companion Plants

Flowering Dogwood Serviceberry HostaDaffodil Japanese Maple

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Higan Cherry questions

What zones can Higan Cherry grow in?

Higan Cherry is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Higan Cherry deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Higan Cherry, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Higan Cherry bloom?

Higan Cherry typically blooms in early spring through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Higan Cherry need full sun?

Higan Cherry does best in full sun (6+ hours).