What is a cherryblossom?

A cherry blossom is the flower of any of the more than 400 species of cherry blossom trees of the genus Prunas. A favorite of gardeners, the fragrant flowers typically range from white to pink or purple and appear in the spring.

Most cherry blossom trees are deciduous and prefer full sun to partial shade. The shirofugen and Taiwan flowering cherry trees appear most often in USDA zones five through seven and thrive in sandy or loamy soil. Carolina and "bright 'n tight" cherry laurels are found in zones seven through 10 and bear small, black fruits. Reaching heights up to 35 feet, the catalina cherry is an evergreen that prefers the warmth of zones nine and 10.