Yoshino Cherry: Japan’s Iconic Blossom

What is Yoshino Cherry?

The Yoshino Cherry (scientific name: Prunus × yedoensis), also known as Tokyo Cherry Blossom, Japanese Cherry Blossom, and Yoshino Sakura, is a horticultural variety of cherry blossom. It belongs to the rose family, plum genus, and cherry subgenus.

It is found in Japan as well as various places in mainland China, including Beijing, Nanchang, Xi’an, Qingdao, and Nanjing. Currently, there are various hypotheses about its origin, but none are definitive.

It is generally believed to be a hybrid of Oshima cherry and Edo higan cherry though some scholars, based on genetic analysis results, argue that Yoshino Cherry is a hybrid of Oshima cherry and Komatsu Otome cherry.

Yoshino Cherry Blooming Period

The blooming period of the Yoshino Cherry is from mid-to-late March to early April. The flowers bloom before the leaves. The blossoms are voluminous, consisting of five petals that gradually turn from light pink to white.

Approximately 10 days later, they flutter down like snowflakes, leaving only the dark pink calyxes on the branches. This type of cherry blossom makes up 80% of Japan’s cherry blossoms, which are light pink.

Each year, Japan’s cherry blossom viewing forecast is based on the blooming date of the Yoshino Cherry.

Yoshino Cherry Flower Language

Cherry blossoms symbolize love and hope, representing elegance and a rustic, pure love.

Yoshino Cherry Distribution

It is primarily used in residential areas, squares, parks, and other leisure areas. In Japan, 80% of cherry blossoms are Yoshino Cherries. The Yoshino Cherry was introduced to North America and Europe in 1902 and is widely planted in areas such as Washington D.C.

In China, the Yoshino Cherry is primarily concentrated in Shandong Province, but it is also grown in places like Wuxi, Wuhan, Beijing, Lvshun, Dalian, Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Xi’an.

Is Yoshino Cherry an Early Cherry Blossom?

Cherry blossoms are generally classified into early, mid, and late blooming types based on their blooming periods.

The term “early” refers to the blooming period. Due to factors such as cold resistance and climate, the blooming time can be early or late. Cherry blossoms that bloom before March are usually called early cherry blossoms.

Generally, the blooming period of the widely cultivated Yoshino Cherry is used as a reference. Those that bloom earlier than it, such as mountain cherries, winter cherries, and fishing cherries, are considered early cherry blossom varieties.

Those that bloom at the same time, such as the Oshima cherry, are mid-blooming varieties. Those that bloom later, such as the Kanzan, Shougetsu, and Fugenzo, are late-blooming varieties.

So, strictly speaking, the Yoshino Cherry does not fall under the category of early cherry blossoms.

Common Early Cherry Blossoms

Mountain Cherry, Winter Cherry, Fishing Cherry, Winter Scarlet Cherry (Bell Flower Cherry, Fujian Mountain Cherry Blossom), Kawazu Cherry, Sunshine Cherry

Common Mid-Blooming Cherry Blossoms

Yoshino Cherry, Oshima Cherry, Double Red Weeping Cherry

Common Late Cherry Blossoms

Kanzan Cherry, Shougetsu Cherry, Fugenzo Cherry, Yaezakura, Gyoikou, Chrysanthemum Cherry