Flowering tree

Higan cherry

Prunus × subhirtella

🌷 Flowering tree

Higan cherry is a popular flowering tree. It's on our flower lists for 15 states.

–states

15of our state lists

18U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 23, 2026. Planted garden trees are mostly excluded from research grade.

On our lists for: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington

Quick look

Prunus × subhirtella, the winter-flowering cherry, spring cherry, or rosebud cherry, is the scientific name for the hybrid between Prunus itosakura (edohigan) and Prunus incisa (Mamezakura). It is a small deciduous flowering tree originating in Japan, but unknown in the wild.
From Wikipedia's article Prunus × subhirtella, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Rosaceae family. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 4 research-grade sightings of it in Maryland, ranking #144 among the 189 flowers on our Maryland list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 4 research-grade sightings of it in Pennsylvania, ranking #154 among the 190 flowers on our Pennsylvania list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 3 research-grade sightings of it in North Carolina, ranking #158 among the 192 flowers on our North Carolina list. ^iNaturalist

Higan cherry gift ideas

Handmade higan cherry gifts from independent makers.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

Placeholder

Higan cherry art print
Gift pick coming soon
Placeholder

Higan cherry greeting card
Gift pick coming soon
Placeholder

Higan cherry mug
Gift pick coming soon
Placeholder

Higan cherry earrings
Gift pick coming soon
Placeholder

Higan cherry embroidery pattern
Gift pick coming soon
Placeholder

Higan cherry sticker
Gift pick coming soon

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (7 records)

Bloom time in each of our 15 states

State	Type	Peak bloom	Sightings*
Maryland	🌷 Garden	few records	4
Pennsylvania	🌷 Garden	few records	4
North Carolina	🌷 Garden	few records	3
Massachusetts	🌷 Garden	few records	2
Virginia	🌷 Garden	few records	2
New Jersey	🌷 Garden	few records	1
Connecticut	🌷 Garden	few records	0
Illinois	🌷 Garden	few records	0
Indiana	🌷 Garden	few records	0
Kentucky	🌷 Garden	few records	0
Michigan	🌷 Garden	few records	0
New York	🌷 Garden	few records	0
Ohio	🌷 Garden	few records	0
Rhode Island	🌷 Garden	few records	0
Washington	🌷 Garden	few records	0

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe: Unknown We couldn't find this name in NatureServe Explorer. ^NatureServe
Maryland: n/a Maryland's list is by species, so a whole genus isn't assessed. ^{COMAR 08.03.08}
Pennsylvania: n/a Pennsylvania's list is by species, so a whole genus isn't assessed. ^{17 Pa. Code Ch. 45}
North Carolina: n/a North Carolina's list is by species, so a whole genus isn't assessed. ^{02 NCAC 48F .0301}
Massachusetts: n/a Massachusetts's list is by species, so a whole genus isn't assessed. ^{MESA list}
Virginia: n/a Virginia's list is by species, so a whole genus isn't assessed. ^2VAC5-320-10
New Jersey: n/a New Jersey's list is by species, so a whole genus isn't assessed. ^{N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1}
Connecticut: n/a Connecticut's list is by species, so a whole genus isn't assessed. ^{CT E/T/SC list}
Illinois: n/a Illinois's list is by species, so a whole genus isn't assessed. ^{IL E&T checklist 2025}
Indiana: No list Indiana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the DNR keeps a rare plant list, but it isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Indiana ranks instead.
Kentucky: n/a Kentucky's list is by species, so a whole genus isn't assessed. ^{400 KAR 3:040}
Michigan: n/a Michigan's list is by species, so a whole genus isn't assessed. ^{R 299.1028}
New York: n/a New York's list is by species, so a whole genus isn't assessed. ^{6 NYCRR § 193.3}
Ohio: n/a Ohio's list is by species, so a whole genus isn't assessed. ^{OAC 1501:18-1-03}
Rhode Island: n/a Rhode Island's list is by species, so a whole genus isn't assessed. ^{RI rare plants 2016}
Washington: No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead.

Checked October 23, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant)) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Cherry” (Prunus spp), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting… ^ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.