The Yoshino cherry tree, the same one of Washington, D.C., fame, heralds the arrival of spring, with clusters of white fragrant blossoms that age to vibrant pink.

Spring has started to blossom in many parts of the country including at my new home in South Georgia. Thanks to the Yoshino cherry trees, I feel like high fiving and dancing in a most celebratory fashion.

Three and a half months ago I found myself moving halfway across the country from Mississippi to Vidalia, Ga. This can be quite challenging for an ardent gardener, especially when done in the dead of winter. The dormant trees I suspected would have landscape sizzle come spring certainly did not disappoint.

If you are not familiar with the Yoshino, it is the one of Washington, D.C., fame. This came about thanks to the Japanese giving a gift of 3,020 trees in 1912. These trees were predominantly Yoshino and the double-flowered Kwanzan.

The popularity has spread, and today, Macon, Ga., boasts an astonishing 300,000 Yoshino trees and proudly hosts an annual International Cherry Blossom Festival that is simply stunning to see.

The Yoshino cherry has a wide range of adaptability in zones 5-9a. While I love the Taiwan and the Okame that bloomed much earlier, the Yoshino's glistening fragrant white clusters that age to pink are irresistible. In good acidic fertile sandy loam that is well drained is ideal the trees will reach their potential, 30 to 45 feet tall with a spread close to 40 feet.

There is much to love about the Kwanzan as well. Named after a mountain in Japan it blooms a week or so later than the Yoshino and features clusters of large 2½ inch pink double flowers. It is shorter, reaching about 25 feet with an equal spread. It too requires exceptional drainage.

From late winter to early spring is a great time to plant two or three cherries in your landscape. Give adequate space between trees. A minimum of 15 to 20 feet apart or from other spring blooming trees like redbuds and dogwoods is needed.The planting hole should be wider than the rootball but no deeper. Wide holes allow for the best root expansion and establishment. Use the extra backfill to form a 4-inch berm beyond the edge of the rootball. It should be large enough to hold five gallons of water. If drainage is in question, don't form a berm. After the tree is planted and berm formed, water thoroughly and mulch. Remove the berm at the end of the first year.If you are located in close proximity to water like a pond or small lake, plant the tree where the cherry blossoms can reflect off the water. Be ready to photograph this spectacular blooming display.When you go shopping for your flowering cherry trees, you might be surprised by the number of selections. The Taiwan and the Okame are really early offering the first color of the year blooming before Japanese or saucer magnolias. The Yoshino cherry partners well with the eastern redbud blooming after the saucer magnolia. The Kwanzan cherry blooms a little later partnering well with the pristine white of the dogwood.These seasons are by no means written in stone as there is some overlap and of course each transition from winter to spring is different. But with a little planning, the blossoms of the cherry tree can have a dazzling effect.

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The Yoshino cherry tree bursts forth with thousands of blossoms each spring.

MCT NEWS SERVICEThe Kwanzan cherry is named after a mountain in Japan. It blooms about a week later than the Yoshino and features clusters of large 2Z\x inch pink double flowers.