Prunus 'Shirotae', Mt. Fuji flowering cherry
1 / 6
Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Prunus 'Shirotae'

Mt. Fuji flowering cherry

Rosaceae

Cultivar of Japanese garden origin (documented since 15th century)

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 m)
Width20-30 feet (6-9 m)
Maturity10 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Fragrant (light)
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Prunus 'Shirotae' is a deciduous tree reaching 15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 m) tall with a spread of 20-30 feet (6-9 m), developing a distinctive broad, flat-topped to horizontally spreading crown that is typically wider than tall at maturity. The Japanese name shirotae means snow-white, referencing the pure white flowers. This is one of the oldest documented Sato-Zakura cultivars, recorded in Japan since the 15th century. Bark is smooth, reddish-brown to gray-brown with horizontal lenticels. Leaves are alternate, simple, ovate to obovate, 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) long, with sharply serrate margins and fringed teeth. Foliage emerges pale green to slightly bronze, matures to medium green, and develops yellow to orange fall color in favorable years. Flowers are semi-double with 8-15 petals, 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) across, pure white, borne in pendulous clusters of 2-4 in April. Flowers have a light almond-like fragrance. Bloom occurs concurrent with or slightly before Prunus 'Kanzan'. Semi-double flowers produce sparse small fruit in some years. The strongly horizontal branching creates a layered, architectural silhouette visible year-round and particularly attractive in winter. Growth rate is moderate at 12-18 inches (30-61 cm) per year. Trees are short-lived at 15-25 years. Susceptible to bacterial canker, borers, and cherry leaf spot, similar to other flowering cherries.

Native Range

Prunus 'Shirotae' is a cultivar of Japanese garden origin within the Sato-Zakura group. The cultivar has been documented in Japanese horticultural records since at least the 15th century, making it one of the oldest named flowering cherry cultivars. Parent species likely involves Prunus serrulata and possibly Prunus speciosa.

Suggested Uses

Commonly planted as a specimen tree where the broad, horizontal branching can be displayed without obstruction. Space 20-25 feet (6-9 m) from structures. The wide-spreading form requires open space; not suitable for narrow planting strips or confined areas. Plant where the underside of the canopy is visible — the pendulous white flower clusters are best viewed from beneath. Functions as a focal point in garden designs, park plantings, and memorial gardens.

How to Identify

Identified by its distinctive broad, flat-topped crown with strongly horizontal branching, often wider than tall. Pure white semi-double flowers with 8-15 petals, 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) across, in pendulous clusters. Leaves have sharply serrate margins with fringed teeth. Distinguished from Prunus 'Kanzan' by white (not pink) flowers, semi-double (not fully double) form, and spreading (not upright) habit. Distinguished from Prunus x yedoensis by later bloom time and semi-double (not single) flowers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height15' - 25'
Width/Spread20' - 30'

Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow
orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Spring
Semi-double white flowers appear in April, concurrent with or slightly before 'Kanzan'. In the Pacific Northwest, peak bloom typically occurs in mid-April, lasting 1-2 weeks. Flowers have a light almond-like fragrance. Pendulous flower clusters create a cascading white effect along the horizontal branches. Sparse small fruit may develop in some years.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pure white, semi-double

Foliage Description

Medium green, emerging pale green to slightly bronze

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly during the first two growing seasons. Established trees benefit from supplemental water during dry periods exceeding 2-3 weeks. Plant in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light. Requires well-drained soil; avoid heavy clay or waterlogged conditions. The strongly horizontal branching habit means branches may extend 10-15 feet (3-4.6 m) from the trunk at near-horizontal angles; provide adequate space for this spread and avoid underplanting with tall shrubs that would obscure the branch architecture. Bacterial canker (Pseudomonas syringae) is the primary disease concern; prune only during dry weather. Borers attack stressed trees. Support heavy horizontal branches with cables if they develop included bark at attachment points.

Pruning

Prune in midsummer (June through July) during dry weather. The horizontal branching habit is the primary ornamental feature — avoid altering this natural form. Remove dead, damaged, and crossing branches. Thin congested areas to maintain the layered, open structure. If horizontal branches develop narrow crotch angles at the trunk, install flexible cabling to prevent splitting. Remove any rootstock suckers below the graft union.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans