A popular hybrid flowering Cherry, Akebono is a harbinger of spring, with clouds of delicate lightly fragrant single pink flowers that cover its branches prior to leaf emergence. Similar to Yoshino, the flower color is brighter and the form is more upright although still rounded and spreading with age. The leaves are medium green, turning yellow in the fall. Bark is smooth and dark red, creating additional dimension in the winter landscape. Grows vigorously in youth. Disease resistant. Use as a specimen or in groups, especially near walkways where the form and flowers can be appreciated in the spring. Introduced by W. B. Clark Nursery.