Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon, USA

Common name: Akebono Cherry, Yoshino Cherry

Family: Rosaceae

Distribution: Garden Origin

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

Hardiness: Zone 5b -15 to -10 F

Life form: Deciduous tree

Usage: Ornamental flowering tree

Comments: ‘Akebono’ has masses of large, semi-double, pink flowers that fade slightly as they age. It blooms in April, develops wide-spreading branches and has fall color of golden yellow with orange highlights. Its parents are P. subhirtella and P. speciosa. If you come across the original cross (simply called Prunus x yedoensis), it is equally garden worthy, with single, whiter flowers that appear a little earlier than those of 'Akebono'. 'Akebono' is a seedling of P. x yedoensis selected and named at the W. B. Clark Nursery in San Jose, California, about 1920.
Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun. Tolerates heat and humidity, but not drought. Adaptable to a wide range of soils.