Buy Prunus Trees — Flowering Cherry, Plum & Ornamental Laurel for Australian Gardens

Prunus is one of the most celebrated plant genera in temperate horticulture — a vast and diverse family that includes some of the most beautiful flowering trees available to Australian gardeners. The Prunus genus encompasses weeping and upright flowering cherries (the famous Japanese sakura), ornamental plums with their vivid spring blossom and striking coloured foliage, flowering apricots and almonds, and evergreen laurels prized for hedging and screening. What unites them all is the promise of extraordinary seasonal spectacle: clouds of pink or white blossom in late winter and spring, fresh green or purple summer foliage, and brilliant autumn colour before the deciduous varieties shed their leaves for winter.

At Online Plants, our range has been carefully curated by our horticulture team to include only varieties that perform reliably in Australian conditions — from Melbourne's cool, clay-heavy soils and cold winters to Sydney's humid coast, Adelaide's hot dry summers, and Brisbane's subtropical warmth. All our Prunus trees are expert-grown, grafted onto quality rootstock, and dispatched in prime condition for nationwide delivery.

Whether you are searching for a weeping cherry as a long-lived feature tree, an upright flowering cherry for a driveway avenue, an ornamental plum for year-round foliage contrast, or an evergreen Portuguese laurel for a formal hedge — you'll find it in our Prunus collection.

Our Prunus Range — Four Groups, Endless Garden Possibilities

Weeping Cherry Trees (Prunus subhirtella & serrulata — Pendula forms)

Weeping cherry trees are among the most beloved ornamental trees in Australian gardens. Grafted onto an upright standard trunk at 1.2 or 2 metres, the pendulous branches cascade downward in an elegant umbrella form — completely smothered in pink or white blossoms each spring. Our weeping cherry range includes:

•    Prunus Falling Snow (Snofozam) — White single flowers, formal dome shape, compact. Most popular variety in Australia. Ideal for courtyards, patio containers, and smaller suburban gardens.
•    Prunus serrulata 'Cheals Weeping Cherry' (Kiku-Shidare-Zakura) — Full, double deep-pink flowers in mid-to-late spring. Irregular, characterful habit. Grafted to 2m. Bold and romantic.
•    Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula Rubra' — Deep pink single bell-shaped flowers on long, graceful weeping branches. Grafted to 1.2m. One of the most elegant compact weepers.
•    Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula Alba' — White single flowers on relaxed weeping branches in early to mid spring. Excellent in naturalistic and Japanese-style gardens.
•    Prunus subhirtella 'Double Pink' — Double pink blossoms for maximum floral impact on a compact, hardy tree.

Weeping cherries are long-lived trees — typically 30 to 50 years and in exceptional cases over a century. Their height at maturity is determined by the graft height at purchase, not by ongoing growth — making them predictable and suitable even for smaller spaces.

Upright Flowering Cherry Trees (Prunus serrulata — Upright forms)

Upright Japanese flowering cherries are the trees behind the world-famous sakura blossom festivals. In Australian gardens, they make magnificent avenue, driveway, and feature trees, growing to 4 to 9 metres depending on variety, with a spreading to vase-shaped form. Our upright range includes:
•    Prunus serrulata 'Kanzan' (also known as Sekiyama or Kwanzan) — One of the most spectacular of all flowering cherries. Double deep-pink flowers in dense clusters in mid to late spring. Bronze-red new foliage turning green in summer and orange to bronze in autumn. Grows to 6–9 metres.
•    Prunus serrulata 'Mt. Fuji' (Shirotae) — Pure white, fragrant semi-double flowers in mid spring against fresh green foliage. Grafted to 2m. Horizontal branching habit creates a wide, layered canopy. Grows to 3m tall and wide.
Upright flowering cherries thrive across most of Australia's temperate climates. They require a period of winter chilling to flower reliably — making them best suited to Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide Hills, highland NSW, and coastal Sydney. Subtropical and tropical climates are generally unsuitable for serrulata varieties.

Ornamental Plums — Flowering Plum Trees (Prunus cerasifera & blireana)

Ornamental plums offer a different but equally compelling seasonal spectacle to cherries. Many produce their blossom in late winter (July–August) — often weeks before the cherries — and follow this with striking purple-to-black foliage that provides bold colour contrast throughout the growing season. They are among the most heat-tolerant and adaptable of all Prunus, performing well across a broader range of Australian climates than the Japanese cherries.

•    Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' (Black Ornamental Plum) — Abundant single pink flowers in late winter against bare blackish-brown branches. Followed by deep blackish-purple summer foliage that turns reddish-purple in autumn. Grows to approximately 5m tall x 4m wide. Outstanding as a street tree, driveway specimen, or bold foliage contrast in any landscape.
•    Prunus cerasifera 'Oakville Crimson Spire' — A narrow, columnar form ideal for tight spaces, screens, or formal avenues. Deep crimson-purple foliage and pink spring blossom on a tree that grows tall (to 8m) but very narrow (1.5–2m wide). Excellent for property boundaries and urban gardens.
•    Prunus elvins (Flowering Plum) — A delightful small weeping tree with a prolific early spring display of white flowers. One of the earliest Prunus to flower — often blooming from late July. A beautiful small feature tree suitable for compact gardens and larger pots.
•    Prunus nigra 'Cerasifolia' (Black Ornamental Plum) — Deep purple/crimson foliage and pink single flowers. Hardy and adaptable. Superb foliage contrast tree.

Unlike many ornamental Prunus, flowering plums such as Prunus cerasifera are notably adaptable to warmer and drier Australian climates, performing well in Adelaide, inland NSW and Victoria, and parts of Queensland where the Japanese cherries may struggle.

Evergreen Prunus — Laurels for Hedging & Screening

Not all Prunus are deciduous spring blossom trees. The genus also includes two outstanding evergreen species widely used in Australian gardens for formal hedging, screening, and topiary:

•    Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken' (Cherry Laurel) — A compact, low-growing evergreen shrub with glossy dark green foliage and upright spikes of fragrant white flowers in spring. Ideal as a low hedge, underplanting beneath taller trees, or in shaded positions where other hedging plants struggle. Grows to approximately 1m tall x 1.5m wide.
•    Prunus lusitanica (Portuguese Laurel) — A beautiful, large-growing evergreen that can be used as a formal hedge, standard tree, or large specimen. Dark green, glossy leaves with red stems. Small white flowers in late spring are followed by dark berries. More cold hardy than Cherry Laurel and tolerant of a wider range of soils. Excellent alternative to English Laurel and Bay in cooler climates.
Evergreen laurels provide year-round structure and privacy, and are particularly valuable in gardens where deciduous trees would leave a gap in screening during winter.

How to Grow Prunus Trees in Australia — Care Guide

Position and Sunlight

All Prunus perform best in full sun — a position receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily is ideal for maximum flowering and healthy growth. Evergreen laurels are the exception, tolerating and even preferring dappled shade or morning sun with afternoon shade, particularly in hotter climates. For deciduous varieties, some afternoon shade protection in Adelaide and inland Australia during peak summer heat helps reduce stress without significantly impacting flowering.

Good air circulation is important for all Prunus. Avoid planting in sheltered pockets with poor airflow, which can encourage fungal disease. Choose a position protected from strong prevailing winds — particularly during flowering, when strong winds can strip blossoms within days.

Soil Preparation — Especially Important in Melbourne and Heavy Clay Areas

Prunus require well-draining soil and are particularly sensitive to waterlogged conditions — root rot and collar rot in heavy, poorly draining soil is the most common cause of Prunus decline in Australian gardens. In Melbourne's notorious heavy clay soils, always improve drainage before planting: create a raised bed or mound, incorporate gypsum and quality compost into the native soil, and ensure water drains away from the root zone rather than pooling.

Prunus prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH of around 6.0 to 7.0. In alkaline soils (common in South Australia and some parts of Victoria), work in sulfur and organic matter to lower pH before planting. Enriching the planting hole with Yates Dynamic Lifter or similar slow-release organic fertiliser at planting time gives all Prunus an excellent start.

Planting

The ideal time to plant deciduous Prunus in Australia is autumn (March to May) when the tree is dormant — cooler temperatures and reliable autumn rains support root establishment without summer heat stress. Bare-rooted trees are available from specialist nurseries in winter (June–July) and can be planted while still dormant. Spring planting of potted stock is also suitable with attentive watering.

Dig the planting hole twice the width of the root ball and to the same depth — no deeper. Place the tree with the graft union clearly above soil level. Backfill with improved soil, water thoroughly to settle air pockets, and mulch generously (5–8cm) keeping mulch clear of the trunk. For weeping forms, stake the trunk for the first 12 to 18 months to support the graft union while roots establish.

Watering

Water deeply and consistently for the first one to two seasons after planting. Once per week during the growing season in typical conditions; increase frequency during extended hot, dry spells. Once established, deciduous Prunus are moderately drought-tolerant and generally manage well on rainfall alone in Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra climates, with supplemental watering through summer dry periods. In Adelaide and warm-dry inland areas, regular deep watering through summer is beneficial.
Overwatering is the most common mistake. Allow soil to partially dry between waterings. Reduce watering significantly during winter dormancy.

Pruning — The Most Important Rule

The single most important rule for pruning ornamental Prunus is timing: prune immediately after flowering, not in winter or late autumn. This is the opposite of many other deciduous trees and a common source of confusion for Australian gardeners. Pruning in winter when plants are susceptible to disease entry — particularly silver leaf, bacterial canker, and blossom wilt — risks serious long-term damage. Summer is also an acceptable time for light maintenance pruning.

Remove dead, damaged, crossing, or congested branches with sharp, sterilised tools. For weeping forms, always remove any upright-growing shoots that emerge from below the graft union (rootstock suckers) as soon as they appear — these vigorous green-leaved shoots will eventually dominate and kill the ornamental top growth if left unchecked. For ornamental plums that flower on 1–3 year old wood, thinning out old, non-productive wood after flowering encourages vigorous new flowering shoots.

Fertilising

Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring as new growth begins. A second application in early summer benefits young, establishing trees. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers, which promote excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers. A mulch of well-composted manure or compost applied over the root zone every two to three years provides excellent long-term fertility.

Pests and Diseases — What to Watch For

Prunus are generally healthy trees when grown in good conditions. The most common issues in Australian gardens include: pear and cherry slug (treat with wood ash dust or insecticidal soap); caterpillars and leaf-mining moths; shot hole fungal disease in ornamental plums (copper oxychloride spray in autumn and late winter); blossom wilt and silver leaf (prevent by correct pruning timing and sterilised tools); bacterial canker and gummosis (avoid unnecessary pruning, paint wounds with lime-based fungicide if canker is found). Bordeaux mixture applied in late autumn before leaf fall is an excellent preventative treatment for most fungal issues.

Design Inspiration — Using Prunus in Australian Gardens

•    Feature Tree on a Lawn: A single weeping cherry or upright Kanzan planted as a centrepiece in an open lawn is a classic and dramatic garden statement. Allow full canopy development space — at least 4 to 5 metres in all directions for weeping forms.
•    Driveway and Avenue Planting: Upright cherries (Kanzan) or columnar plums (Oakville Crimson Spire) planted at 4–5 metre intervals create a breathtaking spring blossom avenue. The bold purple foliage of Oakville Crimson Spire also provides a strong year-round formal structure.
•    Japanese Garden: Weeping cherries (white Falling Snow or pink Pendula Rubra) combined with bamboo, moss, ornamental grasses, and stone features create an authentic Japanese-inspired garden. White varieties (Falling Snow, Pendula Alba) are the most traditional choice.
•    Courtyard and Patio Container: Compact weeping cherries grafted to 1.2m standards (Pendula Rubra, Falling Snow) grow beautifully in large containers with quality potting mix. Ideal for apartment courtyards and patio gardens.
•    Foliage Contrast Border: Ornamental plums (Prunus nigra, Oakville Crimson Spire) provide intense purple-black foliage contrast against silver or grey foliage plants (lavender, Salvia leucantha, Convolvulus cneorum) and yellow or orange perennials throughout summer.
•    Formal Hedge and Screening: Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) and Cherry Laurel Otto Luyken create superb formal evergreen hedges and screens, particularly valued in cooler climates and shaded positions where other hedging options struggle.

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

What does Prunus mean, and what trees does it include?

Prunus is the Latin botanical genus name for a large and diverse group of flowering and fruiting trees in the rose family (Rosaceae). In Australian gardens, Prunus commonly refers to ornamental flowering cherries (including the Japanese sakura), flowering plums, flowering almonds, and evergreen laurels. The genus also includes fruiting cherries, plums, peaches, apricots, and almonds — though these are typically listed under separate categories from the ornamental forms.

When do Prunus trees flower in Australia?

Flowering times vary by species and variety. Ornamental plums (Prunus cerasifera, Prunus blireana) are typically the earliest to flower — from late July in Melbourne, often while still partially bare. Subhirtella weeping cherries (Falling Snow, Pendula Rubra) follow in August. Serrulata upright cherries (Kanzan, Mt. Fuji, Cheals) flower from September to October. In cooler climates such as Canberra, all varieties flower approximately two to four weeks later than in Melbourne or Sydney.

Are Prunus trees fast growing?

Most ornamental Prunus are moderate growers. Upright varieties such as Kanzan can grow 30–60cm per year in good conditions. Grafted weeping forms grow in canopy width rather than height (since height is fixed by graft point) — expect 20–40cm of canopy spread per year. Ornamental plums such as Nigra are among the faster-growing Prunus, reaching 4–5 metres in 8–10 years. All Prunus establish more slowly in the first two years while root systems develop, then accelerate.

Can Prunus trees grow in Brisbane and subtropical Queensland?

The subhirtella weeping cherry varieties (Falling Snow, Pendula Rubra, Pendula Alba) generally perform better in warmer and subtropical climates than the serrulata upright cherries, as they require fewer winter chilling hours. Ornamental plums (Prunus cerasifera, Nigra) are the most adaptable to warm, dry climates and can perform well across a broad range of Queensland conditions. Serrulata varieties (Kanzan, Mt. Fuji, Cheals) are generally not recommended for subtropical or tropical climates. Contact our horticulture team for specific advice on your location before purchasing.

Do Prunus trees lose their leaves in winter?

All the deciduous Prunus in our range (weeping and upright flowering cherries, flowering plums) lose their leaves in autumn and remain bare through winter, re-leafing in spring as new growth and blossom emerge simultaneously. This winter structure of bare branches is considered a feature rather than a drawback by most gardeners — it provides elegant silhouette interest, and for weeping forms, the branch architecture is beautiful in its own right. The evergreen Prunus (Portuguese Laurel, Cherry Laurel Otto Luyken) retain their foliage year-round.