Fuji Cherry

Not to be confused with the Mount Fuji cherry Shirotae, Prunus incisa Kojo-no-mai is a medium-sized, slow-growing, deciduous shrub originally found on the volcanic slopes of Mt Fuji. The branches are dark, wiry, and slightly twisted, giving an architectural quality to the bush. Spear-shaped, serrated leaves emerge pale bronze-green, turning mid-green in summer and yellow and orange in autumn. In March, before the leaves appear, masses of fat red buds open to flowers of palest shell-pink which develop a deeper pink eye, beautiful underplanted with small blue bulbs, Brunnera or Pulmonaria. This lovely, reliable shrub is easy to grow, and can be pruned after flowering to keep it to 3’/1m (it’s often used for bonsai in Japan) making it suitable for even the smallest garden. The Fuji cherry holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any reasonably moist but well drained soil
Position: Full sun or dappled shade
Season of interest: Spring in particular
Hardiness: Very hardy
Height: up to 8’ (2.5m) Spread: 8’ (2.5cm)