Yoshino Cherry

Want a big show right away? Yoshino flowering cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) is the one to plant. The star of the spring cherry festival around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., it can grow 3 feet a year while young. It tops out at about 35 feet tall and wide.

Frothy clouds of blush pink-to-white flowers smother its leafless branches in early spring, while fall foliage may be yellow to russet. Graceful tiers of wide-spreading branches make it popular for lining residential streets. It also makes a fine lawn tree or medium-size shade tree. Try it in the Upper, Middle, and Lower South.