Prunus x yedoensis ‘Somei-Yoshino’ at Douglas Park

Prunus x yedoensis ‘Somei-yoshino’ is the most widely planted flowering cherry tree Japan. It is an early-season cultivar of medium size, 5 to 6 metres (16.5 to 20 feet) high and wide with broad, spreading branches. The single, blush-white flowers, about 3 centimetres (1.25 inches) across, open from pale pink buds and completely cover the branches before the leaves emerge. The elliptic, toothed leaves, up to 10 centimetres (4 inches) long, emerge pale bronze-green, and become dark green before they turn orange and yellow in autumn.

(Information source: RHS Grower Guide – AGM Ornamental Cherries, page 55.)

Every spring, sometime in April, I photograph these floriferous trees when they are in prime bloom. The branches, smothered in blush pink blossoms, create a canopy above the central walkway through the park.