Prunus subhirtella
Common Name: Higan cherry, Winter flowering cherry
Family: Rosaceae

DECIDUOUS

Goshen, CT

Avon, CT

Plant is Native to: Japan. Hardy to Zone 5, and warmer parts of Zone 4.
Plant Height at maturity: 20 to 40 feet tall with an equal spread. Grafted at about 6 feet.
Plant Habit and Form: Medium size deciduous tree. Weeping cultivar is commonly grown (Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’). Fast growth rate. Medium texture.
Foliage: Simple deciduous leaf, alternate leaf arrangement and dark green color. Leaf is ovate to ovate-oblong. 1 to 4 inches long; ½ to 2 inches wide. Leaf margins have sharp double serrations. Pubescent on underside. Glands at leaf base. Orange fall color.

Simsbury, CT

Bark: Shiny reddish brown bark. Lenticels in dark bands.

Simsbury, CT

Flower: Flowers vary with cultivar and can be pink, white, single, semi-double or double. ½ inch in diameter; late March to early April, before tree leafs out. Born in umbels of 2 to 5 flowers.

Avon, CT

Photo: http://www.centralpark2000.com/database_trees/higan_cherry.htm

Fruit/Seed: Fruit is oval, 1/3 inch in diameter; red when young, matures to black.

Photo: http://www.aragriculture.org/horticulture/ornamentals/plant_database/trees/weeping_higan_cherry.htm

Growing Requirements: Requires full sun, well-drained soil. Tolerant of many soil types. Needs sheltering from wind. Easily transplants from container, balled and burlapped or bare root. Prune after flowering in spring. Cold tolerant.
Problems and Drawbacks: Short lived. Susceptible to many insects and diseases.
Special Uses: Good specimen plant or in small groupings. Interesting bark and showy flower effect. Weeping cultivar is attractive.
ID Tips/Remarks: Alternate leaf arrangement of dark green leaves with glands at base; double, serrated leaves. Single pink flowers in umbels of 2 to 5. Horizontal lenticels.
Bibliography:
http://www.hort.uconn.edu/Plants/p/prusub/prusub1.html
http://www.eol.org/pages/632470
http://web1.msue.msu.edu/imp/modzz/00001187.html