Cherry Blossom Vs. Peach Blossom: Which Blooms First?

Cherry blossoms and peach blossoms look similar, and many people can’t tell them apart. What’s the difference between cherry blossoms and peach blossoms? Let’s explore together.

From blooming characteristics to physical features, to their places of origin, there are differences between cherry blossoms and peach blossoms.

Once you understand them deeply, you will find obvious differences. Although their blooming seasons are close, you won’t have to worry about mixing them up when admiring them.

So, what are the differences between cherry blossoms and peach blossoms?

Different blooming characteristics

Cherry blossom flowers are connected to the branches by a short thin handle, and they usually bloom before the leaves grow. The flowers grow in clusters, and petals often have small notches, known as petal fissures.

Peach blossoms, on the other hand, are directly attached to the branches. The leaves grow before the flowers do, and the flowers bloom individually. The petals are fuller, with few notches.

Different physical features

Cherry blossoms, also known as mountain cherry blossoms, belong to the Rosaceae family. The bark of the cherry tree is a purple-brown color, smooth and glossy, with horizontal stripes. The leaves are alternate, ovate-elliptic, and dark green.

Cherry blossoms gather in umbrella-shaped clusters, each with three to five flowers, primarily in white and red. Peach blossoms also belong to the Rosaceae family, with peach trees growing up to 6 to 8 meters.

The trunk is gray-brown, rugged and vigorous, while the branches are smoother and red-brown. The leaves are dark green, elliptical, and have small serrations at the edges. The primary colors of peach blossoms are white, pink, or red.

As traditional garden plants in China, peach blossoms are voluptuous, full-petaled, and brightly colored, making them a major flower to appreciate in early spring.

Different places of origin

Cherry blossoms originated in the Yangtze River region of China and Japan. They prefer sunshine and humidity, thriving in subtropical regions with ample sunlight and high humidity.

The beautiful cherry blossoms are famously known near and far, especially when the trees are in full bloom, overflowing with dazzling colors and fragrances. Peach blossoms originated in the central and northern regions of China.

As an edible fruit tree, it has a long history of cultivation, and is widely grown in the North China Plain. Peach trees like sunlight, can withstand drought and cold, but dislike damp conditions, and are not suitable for growth in high humidity areas.

Which one blooms first, cherry blossoms or peach blossoms?

In natural conditions, peach blossoms usually bloom before cherry blossoms. But for ornamental cherry blossoms, the blooming time may overlap with, be slightly earlier or later than that of peach blossoms.

Cherry blossoms bloom in spring, with flowers mostly in white or pink. The blooming period is very short, with petals falling after about 15 days. The best time to view cherry blossoms is from late March to early April.

Different varieties of cherry blossoms bloom at different times, with the earliest blooming in mid to late March. Some late-blooming varieties usually start to bloom in early April.

Peach blossoms bloom between March and April every year. The flowers are single and grow on the branches, in shades of pink or white.

The anthers are yellow, the flower diameter is about 3 cm, and the pedicels are short. Moreover, the petals of peach blossoms are oval-shaped, and there are both double-petal and semi-double-petal varieties.