Which ornamental cherry trees stay smaller?

Ornamental cherry trees (Prunus serrulata) are beautiful flowering trees. Not only do they often have very attractive blossoms (a true harbinger of spring), but they also boast beautiful fall colors. If you want to enjoy the most beautiful blossoms, an ornamental cherry tree is usually at the top of the list. Unfortunately, many ornamental cherries grow quite large, making them less suitable for smaller gardens. However, there are also small ornamental cherries and varieties that remain narrower or shorter. That’s why we’ve put together this overview of ornamental cherries suitable for small gardens.

How big does an ornamental cherry tree grow?

Many ornamental cherry trees can easily grow to a height of 8–10 meters, and a width of 5–8 meters is not uncommon. These large ornamental cherry trees are therefore not very suitable for a small garden. Fortunately, there are also ornamental cherry trees that remain small or grow narrowly. Examples include columnar ornamental cherry trees, narrow-growing ornamental cherry trees, or ornamental cherry trees with an open crown.

Which ornamental cherry trees stay small?

In a very small garden, really the only thing that will work is a true column shapes are used. The best-known columnar cherry is “Amanogawa.” But “Pandora” is also a good option.

If you do have a little more space, you can also choose other compact ornamental cherry trees, such as Prunus ‘The Bride’ and ‘Rancho’.

If you have room for a slightly wider ornamental cherry tree, the most beautiful varieties are definitely the Prunus x subhirtella autumnalis ‘Rosea’ (pink winter cherry) and the Prunus ‘Accolade’ (early-blooming ornamental cherry). These have a somewhat airy or more open crown.

Prunus Amanogawa

columnar cherry trees

Prunus subh. Autumnalis (winter cherry)

Which ornamental cherry trees are suitable for a small garden?

Ornamental Cherries	Height	Growth habit
Prunus ‘Pandora’	3–4 m	Columnar to narrow vase-shaped
Prunus serrulata ‘Amanogawa’	4–6 m	Column-shaped
Prunus ‘The Bride’	5–7 m	Initially narrow vase-shaped, later becoming broad vase-shaped
Prunus serrulata ‘Taihaku’	5–7 m	Wide, fan-shaped
Prunus sargentii ‘Rancho’	6–8 m	Columnar to narrow vase-shaped
Prunus x subhirtella autumnalis	6–8 m	Vase-shaped
Prunus x subh. autumnalis ‘Rosea’	6–8 m	Vase-shaped
Prunus ‘Accolade’	6–8 m	Wide, vase-shaped
Prunus serrulata ‘Ukon’	6–8 m	Wide, vase-shaped
Prunus incisa	6–8 m	Vase-shaped to (broad) fan-shaped
Prunus serr. ‘Sunset Boulevard’	8–10 m	Narrow, vase-shaped

Which weeping ornamental cherry trees are suitable for a small garden?

Prunus x yedoensis ‘Shidare-Yoshino’	3 m
Prunus x subhirtella ‘Pendula’	2–4 m
Prunus serrulata ‘Snow Fountains’	3–4 m
Prunus serrulata ‘Pendula’	3–5 m
Prunus ‘Kiku-Shidare(-Zakura)’	4–6 m

Weeping cherry trees can grow quite wide. Pendula varieties, in particular, can become quite wide. Still, they grow relatively slowly.

Do you have an ornamental cherry tree in your small garden, too?

Do you also enjoy the most beautiful cherry blossoms in your garden every spring? We’d love to know which ornamental cherry tree you’ve successfully grown in your small garden.