Prunus japonica Thunb.

A shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 1.5 m tall and spreads 0.9-1.8 m wide. The branches are thin. The leaves have teeth along the edge. The flowers are small and white or pink. They occur in clusters. The fruit are small and cherry like and red.

Temperate. It will grow in a range of soils. It needs a sunny position. In northern China it grows between 100-200 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

The fruit are eaten raw or used in pies.

It can be grown by division, seed, stem cuttings or layering.