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Do Cherry Blossoms Grow Cherries? (And Are the Cherries Edible?)

Do Cherry Blossoms Grow Cherries? (And Are the Cherries Edible?)

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There’s no arguing about the breathtaking beauty of cherry blossom trees. I can only think of a few sights surpassing the scenic appeal of their flowers in full bloom.

You may have a vague idea of how cheery blossoms and cherry trees are related. But if you’re reading this post, you’re likely thinking of a question we all thought about once—I know I did!

Do cherry blossoms grow cherries? Are their fruits edible? Or do they not produce any fruit at all? Let me walk you through the answers below.

(Some) Cherry Blossoms Do Grow Cherries

YES, cherry blossoms indeed grow cherries. Nearly 300 species of these trees exist, and a number of them produce cherry-like fruits.

However, they aren’t the same fruit from a standard cherry tree. The cherries they make are minuscule and aren’t known to be edible. 

Let me say that again.

Cherry blossoms don’t grow fruit you can use to make delicious pies and other treats. They’re chewy, bitter (some sour), and contain large pits—making them an unsavory choice for a pickle!

Not every cherry blossom produces fruits, though. Many of them do, but mixed and grafted species might not, like the ones we can find around Washington’s Tidal Basin.

Of course, as you know, their fruit isn’t their main appeal. Most people cultivate them for their flowers, which makes fantastic Instagram and postcard photos.

Cherry Blossoms Are All About Flowering

Cherry Blossom Tree Tunnel

Cherry blossoms are all about flowering. These wondrous works of nature exist to create the largest and most beautiful blooms imaginable.

Because of their charm, cherry blossom viewing is famous in various countries. Millions flock annually to witness and immerse in the magical scenery of blooming Sakura.

In Japan alone, over 63 million individuals from different countries gather to see the stunning sight of cherry blossoms flowering. That’s almost half of the total population of the country!

Cherry blossoms have always been associated with Japanese culture. You can see it in their art, literature, music, food, and clothing, even in modern animated media (anime).

Since the Heian Period (794 to 1185), the Japanese community hosted festivals (called Hanami) and events with these trees at the center. It’s a long-standing tradition that still exists today!

Aside from Japan, China and South Korea also place great importance on their sakura cultures.

When cherry blossoms peak each spring, millions of Chinese and Koreans collect in their local parks to celebrate the pink scene and capture photos.

Caring for Cherry Blossoms Is Easy

You might be thinking that because cherry blossoms are so pretty, it would be hard to care for them. Surprisingly, this isn’t the case.

In fact, caring for cherry blossoms will be easier than caring for standard fruit-bearing cherry trees. And since cherry trees produce palatable fruit, you’ll also have to worry about attracting insects and pests to your yard!

Cherry blossom trees adapt and can thrive in plenty of soil types. They can survive in clay and sandy locations but prefer moist, well-drained soil most.

In terms of light, they need bright spots with direct sunlight. Some species tolerate shade, but most grow best when receiving a daily dose of at least six hours of sun.

The Japanese see the Sakura as a symbol of life and death. It’s a well-earned title, for they can survive in various climates and conditions.

Most Sakura species do need cool temperatures of about 45℉ to bloom. But with frequent watering, these trees can even survive warmer Southern summers.

Choosing Your Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom Trees

Choosing the types of trees that you plant in your yard should take time. You don’t want to rush the decision.

First, consider suitability.

Ensure the Sakura species you’re eyeing can grow in your USDA zone. You don’t want to spend bucks on an ornamental cherry tree to watch it wilt in your climate.

This first rule applies to fruit-bearing cherry trees or any other trees!

Doing a bit of research will allow you to make an informed decision. This way, you’ll surely get happy results once you plant your tree.

Second, think about size.

How much space do you have, and how big do you want your Sakura tree? Depending on the size of your garden, you might need to decide between one or two varieties of cherry blossoms.

If you have a small to medium-scale garden, Sakura varieties like The Bride, Snow Shower, and Single Pink are all fantastic options. But if space isn’t an issue, Tai-Haku, Kanzan, and Accolade would make the most scenic ornaments.

Finally, pick a color.

These delightful sakura trees come in a spectrum of colors, from pure white to every shade of pink. There’s even a rare species that grows yellow and green flowers!

Regardless of shade, cherry blossoms arguably make the best show of all flowering trees. It’s practically impossible to choose poorly.

Cherry Blossom Facts (You Should Know About)

Still curious about cherry blossoms? Here are some facts about the Sakura you can share with your family and friends:

Cherry Blossom Petals Are Edible

Sure, you can’t eat cherry blossom fruits. But did you know you can eat their petals?

Yes, you read that just right. 

Japanese cuisine, for one, has plenty of confections using sakura blooms as a main ingredient. They pluck young sakura buds and process them to be edible.

Some examples of well-known Japanese food with sakura petals are sakurayu, sakura yokan, and sakuramochi.

Most Cherry Blossom Species Are Clone

Here’s another mind-blowing fact. Did you know that most species of cherry blossoms are clones? 

Despite their colorful history, most cherry blossom trees are hybrids from the Yoshino cherry tree. This one species emerged around 200 years ago in an attempt to produce more vibrant blooms.

An astonishing 75% of sakura trees found in Japan came from that one designer sampling. It means they share the same DNA and are practically clones!

Where Cherry Blossoms Originated

As popular as they are, we don’t know where cherry blossoms came from. There have been several claims about their origin, but experts don’t seem to agree.

For example, some South Korean sources claim the cherry blossom tree is native to their homeland. However, plenty of counterarguments and facts say the contrary.

China also claims to be the cherry blossom’s birthplace. He Zongru, chairman of China’s Cherry Industry, published an article in the Daily Mail to counter Japan and South Korea.

Zongru cited a Japanese study stating that the flowering tree originated from the Himalayan Mountains and wasn’t present in Japan until the Tang Dynasty (600 to 900).

Final Thoughts

Cherry blossoms are undoubtedly among the most eye-catching trees on the planet. If you’re looking for a tree that will look great in your yard, it’s worthwhile to consider going with a cherry blossom.

So, do cherry blossoms grow cherries?

Yes. Cherry blossoms do produce fruit. However, they don’t make the types of cherries you’ll want to top on your cake. These small cherries are not going to taste good at all! 

Nonetheless, as the temperature soars and the cold gives way to Spring, you, me, and millions worldwide can relish the spectacle of such magical wonders of nature.

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