Kanzan

Prunus 'Kanzan'

Sato-zakura Group

Introduced into the country in 1913 it is named after a Chinese mountain. It is one of the two most obvious cherries at Keele and indeed streets and estates everywhere – the other being the double white-flowered Prunus avium ‘Plena’.

The deep-pink double flowers which are born in pendant clusters smother the whole tree in what looks like pink cotton wool. It makes a superb sight when seen against a blue sky. As they age, the petals take on a slight bluish tinge. The leaves are a coppery colour when they first emerge and make a striking contrast with the pink petals. It has a rather upright growth habit – resembling an inside out umbrella – but can become flat-topped in some cultivated forms. It can grow to 10m in height with a 10m spread.

The shade of pink and the density of the flowers make it a striking tree but would probably be too much if planted in groups. Nevertheless it is one of the most widely planted of the flowering cherries.

RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993, reconfirmed 2012.

Location

• Widely planted.
• One in the Memorial Garden; square K11; tag 4212. Planted in 2012.