Shirofugen

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Shirofugen is a traditional Japanese flowering cherry, notable for its brilliant pale pink / white fragrant double blossom.

Shirofugen flowers much later than most ornamental cherry trees, coming into blossom in the middle of May. The blossom is long-lasting, and changes colour from pale pink at the start of the season to pure white as the season ends.

The tree grows with an attractive spreading habit, and as it matures develops quite a presence in the garden - make sure you allow plenty of room.

Shirofugen japanese flowering cherry trees for sale

• 11-year bare-root tree £46.50
  Large size (3m-5m after 10 years)
  

  Out of stock
  Sorry we have sold out for this season
• 22-year pot-grown tree £71.95
  In a 12L pot
  Large size (3m-5m after 10 years)
  

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Order now for delivery from week commencing 6th January.

How to grow

Shirofugen grows with a a vigorous spreading habit at first, but as it ages it takes on its characteristic flat-topped appearance.

History

The history of Shirofugen is a good introduction to the confusion in naming that occurs in the Japanese flowering cherries. Since "shiro" is the Japanese word for "white", it might be concluded that Shirofugen is also the name of this variety in Japan, but there is no reference to Shirofugen in Japanese botanic or nursery literature, and it appears to have been invented in the late 19th century by western collectors. The true Japanese name for this variety is most likely Fugenzo - but that name is already in use for another popular (and probably related) variety!

Notwithstanding this confusion, there is no doubt that this is a very old traditional Japanese variety and one of the best double-flowered white forms. For the time being we are sticking to the well-known but arguably inaccurate Western names for these varieties: we usually sell both Shirofugen (correct name probably Fugenzo) and Fugenzo (correct name probably Kofugen). Both are essentially pink / white blossom cherries, but the latter has less pink and perhaps more cream tints.

Shirofugen characteristics

• Gardening skillBeginner
• Attractive featuresAttractive flowersAttractive tree / plantScented flowers
• Growth habitSpreading / Flat-topped
• Height after 10 years3m-5m / 10ft-16ft
• SunlightPrefers full sun
• PruningLight prune
• Growth rateFast
• WildlifeAttractive to birds
• Flower colourWhite
• Flower formDouble flower (25-50 petals)
• Flowering monthMay
• Leaf colourGreen
• Leaf colour - autumnMultiple tints
• Country of originJapan
• Annual cycleDeciduous

Similar varieties

• 
  Prunus
  Fugenzo
  A traditional double-flowered Japanese flowering cherry, also known as Kofugen.

What will it look like?

Illustrative example of a pot-grown tree of this variety as supplied. Approximate girth: 6/8cm. We try to keep all pot-grown trees down to about 1.5m as supplied, but some may be larger. Trees should reach their mature height after about 10 or more years. We may also have 1-year bare-root trees of this variety - they are not shown here.

How to choose a flowering cherry tree

We list more than 70 different flowering cherry trees. Choosing can be difficult! Our article explaining the different characteristics of flowering cherries might help narrow down the selection.