Prunus serrulata Sunset Boulevard - Japanese Cherry

The Prunus serrulata 'Sunset Boulevard' is a variety of cluster cherry tree with an elegant habit, which develops a slender crown, prolific in flowering in spring. Before the leaves appear, this small tree is covered with clusters of simple white flowers, randomly tinged with pale pink on the edges. Bronze-tinted young leaves and beautiful autumn colours are other assets of this sterile variety. This Prunus, which thickens over the years, remains quite narrow, allowing it to be planted in small-sized gardens.

The Prunus serrulata, belonging to the large family of Rosaceae, is a small tree with a dense canopy and fine bark, native to Asia, more precisely Japan, Korea, and China. It is also known as the Japanese Cherry, Hill Cherry, Japanese Flowering Cherry, or Oriental Cherry.

The cultivar 'Sunset Boulevard' was selected in Belgium in 1988. It grows fairly rapidly and will reach a height of 6 to 8 m (19 ft 8 in to 26 ft 2 in) with a spread of 3 to 4 m. The tree has a slender but slightly divergent, semi-open, compact branching structure that widens slightly over the years. Its bark is smooth, brown, and the branches are reddish-brown. Flowering occurs in April, more or less early depending on the region, usually before the foliage appears, sometimes simultaneously with the emergence of its young bronze-tinted leaves. Its numerous buds open into single flowers along the branches. Gathered in small clusters of 3-4, they measure 3.5 to 4.5 cm (1.4 to 1.8 in) in diameter. Some petals are touched with pale pink on the edges. Mature leaves are elliptical with toothed edges, measuring 8 to 12 cm (3.1 to 4.7 in) in length. They are medium green in summer and turn red-orange in autumn.

This charming small tree will naturally find its place as a standalone specimen or, at most, at the back of a border, placed behind perennials or small shrubs with staggered flowering. To adorn its base, it is possible to plant silver basket, a small creeping vine-plant clematis or forget-me-nots, discreet and charming, which will not overshadow its magnificent spring flowering. A small pink clematis could be planted to brighten up its foliage in summer (Clematis Little Mermaid, Josephine).