Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

prunus flowering cherry tree

The prunus flowering cherry tree stands as one of the jewels of the Kiwi garden, renowned for its breathtaking springtime display and elegant form. As a beloved ornamental tree throughout New Zealand, prunus cherry trees grace landscapes with clouds of pastel pink or white blossoms, welcoming the new season in dramatic style. Whether you’re looking to brighten up a city courtyard or establish a showpiece in a rural garden, the prunus flowering cherry tree is a versatile and rewarding choice. In this guide, discover why these trees are so popular, explore top varieties, and learn the best tips for growing and caring for prunus cherries in New Zealand conditions.

cherry-dawson-2

Cherry Dawson

The 'Dawson' Cherry produces large, black coloured fruit in summer. The fruit has red flesh that is sweet with a lovely flavour. It requires another variety planted alongside (“a pollinator”) to produce good fruit yields, such as 'Early Rivers' or 'Stella'. This deciduous tree grows upright to about 5 m tall and 3 m wide, performing best when planted in full sun on a well-drained, sheltered site. Cherries require a cold winter to set fruit, hence they are less suited to regions where winters tend to be mild. The 'Dawson' Cherry is commonly used for fruit production and makes an attractive tree in its own right.

Suited to regions: Alpine, Temperate
Plant type: Fruit Trees
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
prunus-accolade-

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 through spring. This deciduous tree grows with a vase shaped habit bearing green foliage which develops yellow and orange tones in autumn before falling. It typically grows to 6-8 m tall and 3-4 m wide. Prunus Accolade is a stunning tree that is commonly used in avenue plantings, grown as a specimen, or included in a mixed planting.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 7.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Garden uses: Avenues, Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
eugenia-uniflora-surinam-cherry-

Eugenia uniflora (Surinam Cherry)

Eugenia uniflora, commonly known as the Surinam or Brazilian Cherry, is a small tree that features new foliage which emerges a bronze colour and ages...

From$97.13
cherry-compact-stella-

Cherry Compact Stella

'Compact Stella' is a popular cherry variety that produces good yields of large, dark red fruit in early summer. The flesh is light red, soft, and...

From$432.79
cherry-lapins-4

Cherry Lapins

The 'Lapins' Cherry produces consistent yields of large, dark red fruit in summer. The flesh is red, sweet, and juicy. It does not require another...

From$571.61
malus-snowbright-

Malus Snowbright

Malus Snowbright is variety of Crabapple that features rose-coloured flower buds that open into showy, single, white blossoms in spring just as the...

From$343.89
chaenomeles-double-take-orange-

Chaenomeles Double Take Orange (Flowering Quince)

Chaenomeles Double Take Orange is a flowering Quince that features masses of orange flowers from late winter. At this time the shrub is an arching...

From$26.93
Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' plant with masses of red flowers growing in a pot on a patio.

Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' is a compact ground cover rose valued for its masses of vibrant cherry red flowers and exceptional disease...

From$33.68
strelitzia-reginae-mandelas-gold-

Strelitzia Mandelas Gold (Yellow Crane Flower)

Strelitzia reginae Mandelas Gold, commonly known as Yellow Crane Flower or Yellow Bird Of Paradise, produces spectacular yellow flowers through...

From$83.63
brunfelsia-blue-moon-

Brunfelsia Blue Moon (Yesterday Today and Tomorrow Flower)

Brunfelsia Blue Moon, commonly known as the Yesterday Today and Tomorrow Flower, features masses of sweetly fragrant, pansy like flowers are produced...

From$26.93
Chaenomeles 'Alarm' plants for sale with elegant, red flowers.

Chaenomeles 'Alarm' (Flowering Quince)

Chaenomeles 'Alarm' is a hardy deciduous shrub prized for its vivid bright red flowers that appear in late winter and early spring. This classic...

From$26.93
ozothamnus-springtime-white--2

Ozothamnus Springtime White (Rice Flower)

“Springtime White” is a shrub grown for its prolific flowering and drought tolerance. Clusters of white flowers with a paper-like appearance are...

From$26.93
rose-flower-carpet-scarlet-

Rose Flower Carpet Scarlet

Rose Flower Carpet Scarlet is a ground cover rose that features masses of showy, scarlet red flowers. The flowers are complemented with glossy, dark...

From$33.08
rose-flower-carpet-gold--1

Rose Flower Carpet Gold

Rose Flower Carpet Gold is a popular ground cover rose that features masses of showy, yellow flowers. Flowering begins in spring and will continue...

From$33.68
rose-flower-carpet-pink-

Rose Flower Carpet Pink

Rose Flower Carpet Pink features large trusses of semi-double, pink flowers. Flowering begins in spring and continues until autumn provided the spent...

From$33.68
Rose 'Flower Carpet White' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Rose 'Flower Carpet White'

Rose 'Flower Carpet White' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its masses of pure white flowers and exceptional disease resistance. This tough...

From$29.63
Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' ground cover with masses of red flowers.

Rose 'Flower Carpet Red'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its rich red flowers and outstanding disease resistance. This tough rose performs...

From$33.68
Cherry Dawson

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Brunfelsia, Chaenomeles, Cherry, Eugenia, Malus, Ozothamnus, Prunus Rose and Strelitzia, or related Categories - Cherry Trees, Perennials, Carpet Roses, Deciduous Shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs, Crabapples Evergreen Trees and Flowering Cherry Tree.

Search flowering cherries

Why Choose a Prunus Flowering Cherry Tree?

Prunus flowering cherry trees are famed for their prolific floral displays each spring. In addition to their beauty, these trees also offer fantastic autumn foliage and provide structural interest even after the petals have fallen. Their manageable size makes them suitable for smaller gardens, courtyards, and even as feature specimens along driveways or borders. Many varieties, such as the Prunus Accolade, are bred for resilience and suitable for a range of New Zealand climates, from coastal Wellington to cooler Canterbury.

Popular Prunus Flowering Cherry Varieties

When selecting a prunus flowering cherry tree, consider both the blossom colour and the tree’s mature size and shape. One of the most cherished varieties is Prunus Accolade. This deciduous tree produces an early flush of semi-double pink flowers in mid-spring and offers vibrant orange-red autumn foliage. For fruiting alternatives, consider the Cherry Rainier for its sweet, yellow-red harvest, or the dark, juicy Cherry Dawson. The Cherry Modesto and Cherry Griotella Frumi are also excellent additions to the home orchard, delivering both beauty and productive crops.

Planting and Care Tips for Prunus Flowering Cherry Trees

Plant your prunus flowering cherry tree in a sunny, sheltered position with well-drained soil for best results. Prepare a generous planting hole with quality compost to help establish strong roots. Mulching around the base helps conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds, but keep mulch away from the trunk to prevent collar rot. Water young trees regularly during their first growing seasons and reduce watering once established. Prune after flowering to encourage a tidy shape and remove any dead or crossing branches.

Using Prunus Flowering Cherry Trees in Your Garden

Whether as a single specimen or a part of a mixed border, prunus flowering cherry trees add lasting value to New Zealand gardens. Pair their spring blossoms with contrasting evergreens or underplant with bulbs for an eye-catching seasonal show. In larger landscapes, a small group of prunus cherries creates an enchanting grove underplanted with spring ephemerals or forest grasses.

Enhance your garden with the elegance and drama only a prunus flowering cherry tree can provide. Browse our range of ornamental and fruiting cherries, including Prunus Accolade, Cherry Rainier, Cherry Dawson, Cherry Modesto, and Cherry Griotella Frumi, and bring the beauty of spring into your outdoor space.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile) and Dianella 'Little Jess' are popular for a reason, but it’s plants like Lagerstroemia 'Best Red', Salvia African Sky, and Lemon Meyer and Yen Ben (Double Grafted Lemon) that create a truly unique garden.
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.9

429 Google reviews