Royal Burgundy Flowering Cherry

Royal Burgundy is a flowering cherry with dark purplish foliage and deep pink spring blossoms. Oregon State identifies it as a distinct sport of ‘Kanzan’ and records U.S. plant patent PP06520, dated January 10, 1989. ## Site and form The [Oregon State University profile](https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/prunus-serrulata-royal-burgundy) describes a deciduous tree reaching about 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide, hardy to USDA Zone 5. Its flowers resemble ‘Kanzan’ but are a darker pink, while the leaves are purplish. The selection originated as a single branch sport discovered by Frank Parks of Speer & Sons Nursery and entered commerce around 1990. Plant it where the foliage and spring flowers can be viewed as a specimen or in a small grouping. ## Maintenance Choose a sunny site with moist, well-drained soil and space for a mature canopy. Water deeply during dry spells while establishing, and prune dead, damaged, or crossing branches after flowering. Watch for the common insect and disease problems that affect flowering cherries; avoid unnecessary pruning that removes flower-bearing wood.