Flagpole Japanese Cherry Trees

• Variety: Amanogawa, the narrow, upright cherry for a small space
• Common name: Flagpole Cherry, Japanese Flowering Cherry
• Latin name: Prunus 'Amanogawa'
• Sold as: Bareroot: feathered at 1.75/2.5m, and 6/8cm and 8/10cm girth standards. Pot-grown: 200/250cm in a 10 litre pot, and a 12 litre pot
• Mature size: 4 to 8m (13 to 26ft) tall and 2.5 to 4m wide, over 20 to 50 years
• Shape: Narrowly upright (fastigiate)
• Flowers: Semi-double, pale pink, slightly fragrant, in late spring
• Autumn colour: Orange and red
• Best soil and site: Moderately fertile, drained soil, chalk and clay included, in full sun
• Hardiness: H6, hardy through the British winter
• RHS AGM: Yes (1993)
• Plant: Bareroot trees from November to April, pot-grown trees in any month
• Delivered: Bareroot, November to April. Pot-grown, all year when in stock. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Prunus 'Amanogawa', the Flagpole Cherry, is a small, narrowly upright tree with semi-double, pale pink, slightly fragrant blossom in late spring and orange and red autumn leaves. It holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit and grows 4 to 8 metres tall in full sun.

Flagpole Japanese Cherry Trees

Prunus serrulata Amanogawa is the flowering "Flagpole" cherry for everyone who loves their blossom and is short on space. Naturally column shaped (fastigiate), it stays narrow: the RHS gives its mature spread as 2.5 to 4 metres. The mildly scented, light pink flowers cover the tree in April and May, and the Autumn display is a conflagration of reds and oranges.
Browse our ornamental cherry trees.

How to grow

A hardy and undemanding tree, it only needs well drained soil and close to full sun to look its best, although it'll be perfectly fine in partial shade. It isn't recommended for exposed sites where the strong winds will tend to bend it out of shape. It thrives on clay and chalk, and is recommended for the inner city.

History & Trivia

Literally translated, Amanogawa means "Heaven's River", which is the Japanese term for the Milky Way. First recorded in 1886, it was introduced to Britain during the First World War.

Standard trees are measured by their girth in centimetres 1 metre above ground level: their trunk's waist measurement. Unlike sapling trees and hedge plants, standards aren't measured by their height, which will vary quite a bit both between and within species.
So, a 6/8cm standard tree has a trunk with a circumference of 6-8cm and an 8/10 standard has a trunk 8-10cm around. This measurement makes no difference to the tree's final height.
On average, standard trees are 2-3.5 metres tall when they arrive, but we cannot tell you precisely how tall your trees will be before we deliver them.

This tree is also sold as a large "feather" about 175-250cm tall, slightly too small to be graded as a standard.

Planting Companions

The other narrow cherry is Spire, and the two are the upright choices where a spreading tree will not fit. More trees of this scale are under trees for small gardens, and narrow trees to stand in a row are under trees for screening. Dust the roots with Rootgrow as you plant.

Why Ashridge?

Ashridge Nurseries has sold trees since 1949 and is a Which? Best Plant Supplier 2025. Your Flagpole Cherry comes bareroot, lifted while dormant, or pot-grown for planting in any month. Bareroot trees are guaranteed for 12 months, and so is a potted tree delivered leafless between November and March.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big does an Amanogawa cherry grow?

The RHS gives 4 to 8 metres tall and 2.5 to 4 metres wide, over 20 to 50 years. For many years it is far narrower, hence the name Flagpole.

Is Amanogawa a good tree for a small garden?

Yes. It grows up, not out, so you can fit it beside a path, by a gate or in a narrow border where a spreading cherry would not go.

Can I grow a Flagpole Cherry in a pot?

For a few years, in a large pot, yes. It is one of only two of our cherries narrow enough to try. After that it needs to go into the ground.

When does Amanogawa flower?

In late spring, April into May. The flowers are semi-double, pale pink and slightly fragrant.

Does it need a sheltered spot?

A strong prevailing wind can bend the upright branches out of shape, so give it some shelter if you can. Otherwise it needs only drained soil and full sun.

When are Flagpole Cherry trees delivered?

Bareroot trees from November to April, while dormant. Pot-grown trees in any month when in stock. Prune, if you need to, in midsummer.