It’s well-known among garden lovers that Japanese cherry blossom trees are one of the most beautiful types of trees.
With their delicate pink petals and sweet perfume, they are beloved by gardeners and homeowners alike.
But what if you’d like to have the beauty of a Japanese cherry blossom tree without having to take care of one, or having room for one?
Fortunately: there are several types of trees that have the resemblance of Japanese cherry blossoms, but are much more low-maintenance trees.
Japanese Cherry Tree
What is it about the Japanese Cherry tree that is appealing?
The flowers are certainly a draw, but the leaves and overall size of the tree count for a significant amount in your decision to make it a Japanese cherry tree.
The Flowers
The flowers of the Japanese cherry tree are small, open, and pink not large, bright, or full.
The bloom has five petals which may not seem important but it has five or six blooms and can be about eight inches.
The Leaves
The flowers of the Japanese cherry tree are what makes it so exciting; it draws attention to the flowers so you don’t see the leaves nearly at all.
If you stand under a Japanese cherry tree, look closely above you, and you’ll see the leaves are an oval shape and they grow in pairs together.
The leaves of the Japanese cherry tree are a dark green shade of color, smooth to the touch, about four inches long and two inches wide when laid flat, and have a pointed tip.
Nothing extraordinary about them but that shape, that yet very typical shape, is a nice shape that adds to the beauty of the Japanese cherry tree.
The Size
One reason people adore Japanese flowering cherries is because of their manageable size.
In general, they grow to be about 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide.
This is a great dimension for a yard or even outdoors in a pot.
1. Magnolia Trees
Magnolia trees are a wonderful alternative to Japanese cherry blossom trees.
They boast stunning blooms with long petals. The base of the bloom is a deep pink shade, while the tips are white.
Once again, from afar – it can appear to be the same pale pink you might find on a Japanese cherry tree.
Magnolia trees will generally thrive in USDA zones 5-9. Magnolia trees require full sun to partial shade and need regular watering but relatively little fertilizer.
A slow-release fertilizer application in the spring when buds start to emerge is more than sufficient for a magnolia tree.
These trees can grow to around 80 feet tall and as wide as 40 feet, so make sure you have great space in your yard.
The branches have leaves and petals that continually drop, you can trim the bottom branches in order to mow the leaves and petals or you can retain the branches and use them to conceal the piles.
2. Ornamental Peach Trees
Another excellent replacement for Japanese cherry blossom trees, the ornamental peach tree flowers, resemble magnolia tree flowers in shape but are primarily white near the tips and pink at the base of the flower.
Unlike a Japanese cherry tree, the ornamental peach tree flowers do not grow in clusters but rather along the branches in a more random, unstructured pattern.
The ornamental peach tree will thrive in USDA zones 4-8 in full sun, and regular watering is essential but will not require excessive fertilizer.
Specific to magnolia trees, applying a slow-release fertilizer once in the spring should be enough.
3. Ornamental Plum Trees
Ornamental plum trees bloom in colors ranging from deep purples to white and light pinks.
Ornamental plum tree blossoms are nearly indistinguishable from the flowers of the Japanese cherry tree and most people would not notice the difference in both trees.
For the experienced gardener, you will notice some differences right away. First, ornamental plum trees grows its flowers in very densely packed clusters which are much denser than the flowers of the Japanese cherry tree.
Also, plum trees display deep purple leaves that unfurl out on stems between the flowers, while the cherry tree does not have.
Ornamental plum trees grow well in USDA zones 5-8.
Ornamental plum trees prefer to grow in full sun with soil that drains well. Water your ornamental plum trees frequently to keep them moist. Do not allow the roots to sit in water.
4. Crab Apple Trees
The ornamental apple tree is probably best known for the crab apple.
Ornamental fruit trees typically aren’t meant for eating and are often a more tart version of the fruit they are represented to be, but crab apples are an exception.
Most varieties of crab apples are actually sweet and tart, making them a delicious snack or the basis for a jam or jelly.
As for the flowers, they closely resemble Japanese cherry blossoms. The structure, shape, color, and placement on the branches are all very similar.
Depending on the species of cedar tree, you may have white flowers, light pink flowers, or even magenta flowers.
The greatest thing about crab apple trees is that they are some of the hardiest trees.
They can thrive in nearly any type of soil (as long as it drains well), and do best in full sun.
Crab apple trees are also drought tolerant, making them an excellent tree to put in the ground if you live in an arid area (low rainfall).
5. Apple Trees
Apple trees are the only fruit tree to make this list, and they belong here only because the apple blossom has a lot in common with the Japanese cherry tree.
Apple trees have the same number of petals on the flower as the Japanese cherry blossom.
And, not only the same number of petals but they also have the same flower shape and grow in clusters along the branch like a Japanese cherry blossom would.
The colors of apple tree flowers can be white, pink, or even light purple.
The primary difference when they bloom, is that the flowers of an apple tree are much larger, and can be twice the size.
Apple trees can grow well in soils that drain well, and they are very adaptable to soil types. They thrive in full sun, but will also perform just fine in partial sun.
Regarding water, apple trees prefer moist soil but do not want their roots sitting in water. Apple trees can grow in a number of zones, with USDA zones 5-8 being best.
6. Eastern Redbud Trees
Like the name implies, the eastern redbud tree has flowers that are much redder than a Japanese cherry blossom.
The flowers can have colors ranging from magenta all the way to burgundy, yet none are in close proximity to the light pink of the cherry tree flower.
The flowers grow along the entire length of these long branches making it appear like strands of flowers rather than small clusters.
The branches of the eastern redbud are also much more sparse than a Japanese cherry tree meaning that even if it is covered with flowers, it looks like there are a lot of voids on the tree.
With Proper pruning – And forcing new branches to grow, you can fill in the voids and give the tree that cherry tree look you are after.
These trees can reach anywhere from 20 to 30 feet in height and up to 35 feet width when they grow in USDA plant hardiness zones 5-8.
They do best on the east coast, but given full sun, plenty of water, and a little fertilizer they survive anywhere.
7. Almond Trees
Like the Eastern redbud tree, the almond tree’s flowers bloom along the length of the long branches.
The flowers have quite a few more petals than a Japanese cherry tree, but they’re closely related in size, shape, and color.
Almond trees are hardy in USDA growing zones 6 – 9, and can grow in full sun, or partial shade, as long as the soil drains well.
They are low-maintenance trees, but be sure to water them–especially the first few years after you plant them.
8. Apricot Trees
This is yet another flowering tree where blooms fill the branches, while the branches do provide open space.
The tree looks more like an eastern redbud, yet the flowers are similar to the Japanese cherry tree.
Apricot trees require full sun and very well-drained soil. They are hardy in USDA zones 5-8, however, if we have a late frost, you will not obtain flowers and fruit the next season.
Apricot trees can grow to 25 feet tall and wide, yet they can and should be pruned to control size.
9. Pink Trumpet Trees
The flowers on a pink trumpet tree can range from a light pink to darker magenta colors, but typically they stay in the lighter end of the range.
The flowers grow in long clusters and bear a strong resemblance to flowers on a Japanese cherry tree; however, pink trumpet tree flowers have more petals.
The leaves of a pink trumpet tree help distinguish them from cherry blossom trees.
The leaves are large, heart-shaped, and a deep green color. The branches are also thicker than those of cherry trees.
Pink trumpet trees can withstand USDA winters in zones 9-11, need full sun to partial shade, and well-drained soil.
They can grow up to 40 feet tall and spread just as wide, which makes them a poor candidate for anyone looking for a small tree.
10. Judas Trees
The blossoms of the Judas tree are very similar to the blossoms of a Japanese cherry blossom, however, there are a few important differences:
- The Judas tree blossoms grow in long clusters which is more similar to the overall look of a pink trumpet tree.
- The blossoms up close are also a deep purple color instead of pink or white, but they do look like the classic cherry blossom from a distance.
The Judas tree leaves are much larger than the leaves on a cherry tree. The leaves are in an elliptical shape, and a bright deep green color.
The branches on the Judas tree are thick and sturdy, while a cherry tree branches are delicate.
Judas trees are fairly large trees, growing to be about 30 feet wide, and 30 feet tall.
When you do trim the tree, you will want to do this after the tree flowers so that your Judas tree can still flower the next year.
Judas trees hardy in USDA zones 6-9 and like full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils.
11. Other Types of Cherry Trees
Putting these trees on the list is almost cheating, so they are at the bottom of the list.
But they deserve a mention under the name of “Japanese cherry tree imitator,” because they look very much like Japanese cherry trees.
This list of eight cherry trees are all “mock cherry trees,” which means they flower like Japanese cherry trees, but won’t produce any cherries.
As a bit of a bonus, if you don’t like the smell of rotting cherries or don’t want to have to pick cherries up out of your yard every day, these might be a tiny bit better.
- Kwanzan Cherry Tree
- Yoshino Cherry Tree
- Akebono Cherry Tree
- Autumn Flowering Cherry Tree
- Fugenzo Cherry Tree
- Okame Cherry Tree
- Weeping Cherry Tree
- Higan Cherry Tree
Final Thoughts
Japanese cherry blossoms can be confused with many other related types of trees.
Some have deep purple flowers that grow in long clusters; while others have flowers that closely resemble a traditional white Japanese cherry blossom.
No matter which cherry tree type you choose, each type of tree does require full sun as well as well-drained soil.
Should they be cared for properly, you will have a thriving cherry tree that will give you beautiful blossoms every spring.