Hi all--I am also posting this thread on DG---sorry for the repeat for those of you, like me, who use both sites.

My yard/gardens have many good trees. However, there is one glaring need: I don't have any flowering Japanese cherry trees in the spring. I am planning to add two, in two island planting spaces in my patio.

So far, I am leaning towards getting two Prunus x yedoensis 'Akebono'. These are the same variety that grace the Portland waterfront, and I love the fluffy pink flowers so much. They bloom in early April. They might get a little too large for the patio area, but I am hoping I can do some clever pruning.

Currently, one island bed is empty---I had a Japanese maple in each bed (Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku---i.e., red coral bark maple) ]. However, one of the acers succumbed to verticillum---the other might have a mild case, also. I plan to remove the other and also replace with Prunus. (A matching pair of trees looks much better in this patio space)

Questions: 1) this means my soil is infected with verticillum, so I cannot ever plant another acer in that location...will planting prunus in that soil be safe for the new tree?
2) Your favorite variety of flowering cherry. Pics if you have them. Thank you!!!

Attached is a pic from the internet of the Akebono on the portland waterfront.

With further research, stone fruit Prunus trees are listed as 'susceptible' to verticillum also, so it may not be in my best interests to plant one there......anyone have experience with this sort of thing? I'm wondering if they are more robust, and that the perhaps the 'sango-kaku' are particularly susceptible to it, so that I could perhaps give it a try......hard to give up on the idea once you are set on it. The list of things not susceptible seems considerably shorter---but includes Cornus (dogwood species) and all evergreens. But I really would rather do the akebono. I will place a call to 'Garden World's' horticulturist today to get more information.....

If no one from the prunus family will work, I'd consider a dogwood. There are some beauties out there especially if you are looking for a soft pink. Or perhaps a serviceberry (amelanchier).

I was thinking dogwood also! It could look very lovely!

Yes, thanks. I've thought the same thing. My main issue is that I already have 5 dogwoods. The dogwoods here bloom so much later than the cherry trees---and they bloom when I have so many other things already going on in the yard. I sent an email to a horticulturist, and I haven't heard back yet. I might place a call instead. Unless the akebono are flagrantly susceptible to the verticillum, I may take a chance on them anyway. Could be an expensive mistake, but I would really love that pop of color in the back yard in early April, about a month before the dogwoods.

Pic shows the view of part of that patio in the fall from the house. I would love some pink there in the spring. The orange leaved tree would be replaced. In the pic to the left of it, you can see a teepee shaped trellis where the other island bed is located and the matching tree already succumbed to verticillum. Despite that orange being so pretty, that tree is actually fighting the infection. (my healthier uninfected same variety trees in the yard 'sango-kaku' had not yet started their fall colors yet in this pic---early fall colors are one of the symptoms of verticillum and the orange leaved tree had started to turn in August actually---not normal).

Serviceberry---so pretty. Also listed as possibly susceptible. Do they bloom before or after dogwoods?

I've been spelling verticillium wrong. It's verticillium not verticillum. Was leaving out that extra 'i'

I think serviceberry blooms before dogwood, but can't be sure - they may be around the same time. Last season I kept track of when things were in bloom for me, but I missed that one. I think they are the early spot of white along the freeway belts in early spring. They do have lovely fall color. But if you're looking for a puff of pink, you may be better off with something else.

Is plum susceptible? They bloom earlier too, and there are pink ones.

These are my serviceberry last spring. 4-17 They have great fall color and berries in summer that the birds love. These are old, maybe 15-20 years. I'm on the driveway looking up to the trees.

Stephanie, I couldn't sleep so I was looking (just on wikipedia) into your question. Its seems that Magnolias and tulip trees are not effected by this fungus, so that gives you another option. Its really too bad, the photo is so striking! I love the color even if it does signify a bad thing!
Originally I was thinking maybe eastern redbud, but it is listed as a 'Eudicot' and therefor susceptible.

Thank you Greg! Spring---thanks for sharing those photos---very spectacular! Mardee at Garden World called me back, but I wasn't home. I'll try and get a hold of her today, and I'll share what I learn.

Sounds good! Good luck, and yes do keep us posted - I'm always curious especially when its something that could infect (effect) lots of people!

Well, I went ahead and bought them. The horticulturist at Garden World wasn't very helpful. We played phone tag for so long, that I think she was irritated, and she sounded hostile on the phone. She was pretty much useless. Then the trees were 4 hours late when delivered. The trees are healthy and huge, however, so I'm pleased. Once installed, it will look like they have been there for several years already. They are done blooming for this year. I am going to have my landscapers install them, b/c they are so big, and I have electric uplights in those places on the patio. I'll post a pic when they are in! They will provide my patio with some much needed shade.

Sounds nice, looking forward to pics.

Me too! Sounds really nice Stephanie!

I did eventually install the two Akebono last May. They are now blooming in my patio. Here is a look from today. This is not their peak (was last week)---but I missed it when I was on vacation.

Those are beautiful. Love your dog. Chocolate Lab?

Love the doggie!! And the trees are really lovely Stephanie!

Yes female chocolate lab. She gets into a lot of mischief. I'll be honest and tell you that I was recently outvoted by my family 4-1, in a vote of whether to find her a new home. I'm the only one who voted for new home. Continue to have problems with the chickens and her. chickens are enclosed, can't get out. But despite a TON of nagging, locks, etc either my children, assistant, or curious lawn service people continue to leave gate and/or coop improperly latched. Next plan is combination locks that will remain locked and only I will know combos. I'm not a dog person, and I regret acquiring a dog. My kids and husband love her so, so, so much, however. And I know there are positives because of that. She is truly the most loving, loyal kid friendly dog on the planet. But dealing with chicken carcasses (15+ now) of chickens who were hatched from eggs by me in an incubator has given me a lot of chest pain. Recs have been to beat her with the dead chicken carcass or hang a chicken carcass around her neck until it rots. I'm unwilling to do either one.