Autumn 2024Order now for delivery from week commencing 25th November for pot grown trees or December for bare-root or mixed tree orders.
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Shirofugen ornamental cherry trees

Prunus serrulata
  • Flowering month: May
  • Blossom colour: White

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 ornamental cherry trees for sale

Pot-grown

All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.

  • PG12-year 12L pot-grown tree Semi-vigorous rootstock £71.50< 5 in stock
    Very large tree (4m-7m after 10 years)

Bare-root

  • BR11-year bare-root tree£46.50
    Very large tree (4m-7m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
    Please try next season
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Next deliveries

Order now for delivery from week commencing 25th November for pot grown trees or December for bare-root or mixed tree orders.

Delivery charges

Delivery for a single tree starts at £9.95, it is calculated based on your postcode.

Growing and Training

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

Growing

  • Gardening skillBeginner

Identification

  • Country of originJapan
  • Period of origin1600 - 1649
  • Flowering monthMay
  • Blossom colourWhite

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Guaranteed fruit trees

When you buy your fruit tree from Orange Pippin Fruit Trees we guarantee it for the first season in your garden whilst it gets established. If it doesn't grow successfully, we'll either replace it the following season or offer a refund - subject to some conditions. Find out more.

This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2023.