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prunus varieties

If you're searching for beautiful prunus varieties to enhance your New Zealand garden, you've come to the right place. The Prunus genus includes a stunning selection of ornamental cherry, plum, and almond trees admired for their breathtaking spring blossoms, autumn colour, and versatility in the landscape. Whether you're interested in classic cherry blossom displays or bold-leaved ornamentals, there's a prunus variety that's perfect for your outdoor space. With so many unique shapes, sizes, and flower colours, exploring prunus varieties allows you to find the ideal match for your style and climate.

Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) standard trees bordering a driveway.

Prunus lusitanica

5 from 2 customers

Prunus lusitanica, commonly known as the Portuguese Laurel, is a large shrub that is widely grown across the world. It features dark red stems that bear lush, dense, and dark green leaves. The white flowers are small and fragrant, followed by small, dark purple berries. It typically grows to 5 m tall and 4 m wide and can be trimmed as necessary. Prunus lusitanica is an excellent plant for a large garden. It is commonly used as a backdrop for smaller plants, planted for screening and shelter, used for topiary, or included in a “white” garden. Landscape designers favour Portuguese Laurels for their elegance and versatility.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Hedging, Pool areas, Screening, Topiary
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, White
prunus-amanogawa-

Prunus Amanogawa

Prunus Amanogawa is a variety of Flowering Cherry that features masses of pale-pink flowers through spring. The mildly fragrant, semi-double flowers are borne in clusters and literally coat the tree. The foliage emerges a yellow-bronze colour in spring, ages to become mid-dark green, then develops orange and red tones in autumn before falling. It grows with a columnar habit to about 5 m tall and 2 m wide. Prunus Amanogawa is a stunning tree and is commonly used in avenue plantings, added to cottage gardens, used to border to an entrance, grown as a specimen, or added to a mixed planting.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Garden uses: Avenues, Living areas, Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
prunus-kiku-shidare-sakura-

Prunus Kiku Shidare Zakura

Prunus Kiku Shidare Zakura is a variety of Flowering Cherry that features pendulous branches and stunning flowers. It produces masses of the large...

From$432.79
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Prunus Falling Snow

Prunus Falling Snow is a variety of Flowering Cherry grown for its pendulous growth and fantastic flowering. It features masses of single, white...

From$343.89
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Prunus Pink Cloud

Prunus 'Pink Cloud' is a beautiful cherry tree known for its profuse vibrant pink blossoms in spring. This deciduous tree grows up to 5 metres tall...

From$432.79
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Prunus Pendula Rosea

Prunus subhirtella Pendula Rosea is a variety of Flowering Cherry grown for its impressive flowering and pendulous growth habit. This tree produces...

From$343.89
prunus-laurocerasus-3

Prunus laurocerasus

Prunus laurocerasus, commonly known as cherry laurel, is a versatile evergreen tree renowned for its dense, glossy dark green leaves and fragrant...

From$24.23
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Prunus Southern Gem

Prunus 'Southern Gem' is a beautiful cherry tree prized for its early pink blossoms that herald the arrival of spring. This deciduous tree grows up...

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Prunus blireiana

Prunus 'Blireiana' is a charming cherry tree prized for its fragrant pale pink blossoms that appear in early spring. This deciduous tree grows to...

From$432.79
Prunus campanulata superba with pink flowers and a tui in the tree.

Prunus campanulata Superba

Prunus campanulata Superba is a variety of Flowering Cherry that features masses of single, rose-red blossoms. These are held in pendulous clusters...

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prunus-mume-the-geisha-2

Prunus mume The Geisha

Prunus mume 'The Geisha', commonly known as Japanese Apricot, is a deciduous tree celebrated for its delightful fragrance and early winter blooms...

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Prunus Ichiyo

Prunus 'Ichiyo' is a stunning cherry tree known for its large, double pink blossoms that bloom profusely in mid to late spring. This deciduous tree...

From$432.79
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Prunus mume Peggy Clarke

Prunus mume 'Peggy Clarke' is a charming apricot tree valued for its fragrant pink blossoms that bloom in late winter to early spring. This deciduous...

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prunus-awanui-3

Prunus Awanui

Prunus Awanui is a variety of Flowering Cherry that features masses of fragrant, pink flowers through spring. This deciduous tree grows with a vase...

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Prunus Thundercloud

Prunus Thundercloud, commonly known as the Thundercloud Plum, is a deciduous ornamental tree celebrated for its vibrant purple foliage and early...

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An avenue of Prunus 'Pink Perfection' trees with pink blossoms.

Prunus 'Pink Perfection'

Prunus 'Pink Perfection' is a stunning flowering cherry celebrated for its profusion of double pink blossoms in spring. This deciduous tree brings...

From$432.79
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Prunus Felix Jury

Prunus Felix Jury is a variety of Flowering Cherry that features masses of large, claret-red blossoms in spring which are held as pendulous clusters...

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Prunus Shirotae

Prunus Shirotae is a graceful deciduous tree prized for its abundant pure white blossoms that brighten gardens each spring. Its upright, spreading...

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Prunus yedoensis

Prunus yedoensis, commonly known as the Yoshino cherry, is celebrated for its profuse white blossoms in early spring. This deciduous tree grows to...

From$343.89
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Prunus Kanzan

Prunus Kanzan is a variety of Flowering Cherry that features masses of double, rich pink blossoms through spring. This deciduous tree grows with a...

From$432.79
Beautiful Prunus 'Shimidsu Sakura' pink and white blossoms.

Prunus Shimidsu Sakura

Prunus 'Shimidsu Sakura' is an elegant deciduous tree celebrated for its abundant pink blossoms that brighten gardens in spring. Its upright growth...

From$343.89
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Prunus Ukon

Prunus 'Ukon', a cultivar of Japanese flowering cherry, is renowned for its distinctive creamy yellow blossoms that bloom in late spring. Unlike the...

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Prunus Tai Haku

Prunus 'Tai Haku', also known as the Great White Cherry, is prized for its large, pure white blossoms that bloom in mid to late spring. This...

From$343.89
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Prunus autumnalis Rosea

Prunus Autumnalis Rosea is a popular variety of Flowering Cherry due to its stunning blooms and long flowering. It features semi-double, pale-pink...

From$343.89
Prunus 'Jim's Delight' rose pink flowers on a tree.

Prunus 'Jim's Delight'

Prunus 'Jim’s Delight' is a stunning flowering cherry renowned for its spectacular spring blossoms and vibrant seasonal foliage. This small deciduous...

From$343.89
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Prunus Okame

Prunus Okame is a beautiful deciduous tree known for its early spring display of vibrant pink blossoms. Its upright, rounded growth habit and...

From$343.89
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Prunus Accolade

Prunus Accolade is a variety of Flowering Cherry that features masses of semi-double flowers. The frilly and pink blooms are borne in clusters...

From$299.92
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Prunus Mountain Haze

Prunus Mountain Haze Tree Size and Growth Habit

From$432.79
prunus-spire-

Prunus Spire

Growing Sophora 'Goldies Mantle' in NZ is straightforward when planted in full sun and free draining soil. It tolerates a variety of conditions...

From$343.89
Prunus lusitanica

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Prunus, or related Categories - Evergreen Shrubs, Flowering Apricots Flowering Cherry Tree and Flowering Plums.

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Popular Ornamental Prunus Varieties

One of the joys of choosing from different prunus varieties is the range of flowering forms and colours. For a dramatic spring display, the Prunus Kiku Shidare Zakura offers showy double pink blossoms on graceful weeping branches—a real statement tree for smaller gardens or feature planting. Another cherished weeping cherry is the Prunus Shidare Yoshino, prized for its clouds of delicate white flowers that create a magical, frothy effect each spring.

Unique and Rare Prunus Varieties

For those seeking something a little different in flowering trees, prunus varieties like the Prunus blireiana provide deep pink, fragrant double blooms and rich, purple-tinted foliage. This hybrid flowering plum is beloved for its extended flowering season and standout colour, even beyond the blossom months. Gardeners who admire traditional Japanese cherries may be drawn to the Prunus Shimidsu Sakura, known for its semi-double, pale pink blossoms and elegant arching habit. For a graceful, pendulous form with subtle white to pale pink flowers, Prunus yedoensis Perpendens is a proven choice that adds a soft romantic charm to any landscape.

Planting and Using Prunus Varieties in New Zealand

Most prunus varieties thrive in well-drained soil and sunny, sheltered spots. They're excellent choices for feature planting, avenues, or mixed borders, and some varieties are perfect for small courtyards or adding structure to larger landscapes. Many are deciduous, providing an ever-changing display from spring blooms to autumn foliage and winter branch silhouette. Prunus species are generally hardy and tolerate a range of New Zealand climates, with many selections proving reliably disease resistant and easy to care for.

Choosing the Right Prunus Variety

Selecting the ideal prunus variety depends on your garden's size, style, and seasonal interests. Consider whether you prefer the vibrant, longer flowering of varieties like Prunus blireiana, the cascading flowers of Prunus yedoensis Perpendens, or the heritage beauty of Japanese cherries like Prunus Shimidsu Sakura. With so many exceptional prunus varieties available, you can create a landscape that bursts with colour, fragrance, and artistically shaped trees year after year.

Explore our premium collection to discover the perfect prunus varieties for your New Zealand garden and enjoy the seasonal spectacle these beautiful trees provide.


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