2 named cultivars

tree

Sargent Cherry

Prunus sargentii

The Story

Plant Bio

Prunus sargentii, the Sargent cherry, is a rounded deciduous tree from Japan, Korea and the Russian Far East, reaching twenty to thirty feet in both directions. Polished chestnut-brown bark marks it out year round, single pink cup-shaped flowers open on bare branches in early spring, and the shiny dark green leaves turn orange-red in autumn.

This is the toughest and longest-lived of the ornamental cherries, and one of very few with genuine autumn colour as well as spring flower — most flowering cherries give you one season and a short life. It is also a larval host for the eastern tiger swallowtail, and birds strip the small dark cherries as soon as they ripen.

Uses & Benefits:

Pink spring blossom, polished chestnut bark year round and reliable orange-red autumn colour.

The hardiest and longest-lived flowering cherry, and useful as a street tree where others fail.

A larval host for eastern tiger swallowtail, and the small cherries are taken quickly by birds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

315 inches

Width

300 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Japan, Korea and the Russian Far East

Toxicity

Fruit bitter; leaves and pits contain cyanogenic compounds

Planting

How to Grow

Allow twenty-five feet or more in both directions.
Plant in full sun in moist, well-drained soil.
Water deeply through the first few summers.
Mulch the root zone, keeping it off the trunk.
Prune only in dry summer weather, never in winter.
Remove damaged wood promptly to limit canker.

Pro Tip

Prune cherries in dry summer weather rather than winter — the wounds close fast and canker cannot get in through them.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it twenty-five feet of spread 📏
Prune only in dry summer weather ✂️
Mulch the root zone each spring 🍂
Leave the fruit for the birds 🐦

Don't

Prune it in winter or wet weather ❌
Plant it close to a house or drive ❌
Wound the trunk with mowers or strimmers ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Specimen lawn or street treeSpring blossom feature with autumn colourButterfly and pollinator planting

Companion Plants

Daffodil Hellebore EpimediumWoodland Phlox Autumn Fern

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Sargent Cherry questions

What zones can Sargent Cherry grow in?

Sargent Cherry is hardy in USDA Zones 4–7. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Sargent Cherry deer resistant?

Yes — Sargent Cherry is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Sargent Cherry bloom?

Sargent 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 Sargent Cherry need full sun?

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

Is Sargent Cherry drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Sargent Cherry handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.