The U.S. National Arboretum presents 'First Lady', a new, classically elegant, 

hybrid flowering cherry. This charming, upright tree warms the days of early spring 

with a multitude of nodding, dark rose-pink flowers, a vibrant counterpoint to the soft 

colors of other flowering cherries.

Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 3501 New York Ave., N.E., Washington, DC 20002

Prunus 'First Lady'

U.S. National Arboretum Plant Introduction

© Photo by: Monrovia
U.S. National Arboretum Plant Introduction

Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit

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March 2006 The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Botanical Name: Prunus 'First Lady'

(NA 61052; PI 584481)

Family Rosaceae

Hardiness: U.S.D.A. Zones 6 - 8, possibly into zone 9

Development: In 1982 Dr. Donald Egolf hybridized Prunus x incam 'Okame' with P. 

campanulata, a species not hardy in U.S.D.A. zone 7. Progeny were 

evaluated for both flower color and hardiness. One seedling in particular 

proved outstanding with deep rose-pink flower color, upright form, and 

good cold-hardiness. Selected for further evaluation in 1988, this hybrid was named 'First Lady' and officially released August 7, 2003. The 

cultivar name 'First Lady' was registered with the International Registration Authority for Unassigned Woody Genera in February, 2004.

Significance: 'First Lady' represents the combination of many desirable elements of 

both parents in a unique form. The abundant flowers and hardiness 

of the female parent, 'Okame', combine with the excellent dark green 

foliage and deep pink to near red flower color of the pollen parent, 

P. campanulata, to produce a fast-growing, upright tree that retains its 

columnar habit with age.

Description: Height and Width: 27 feet tall with a crown spread of 14 feet wide at 

20 years.

Habit: Strongly upright, almost columnar.

Foliage: Glossy, heavy-textured, large dark green leaves. 

Flowers: Abundant, dark rose-pink, single, campanulate, semipendulous flowers open in late March in the Washington, DC area, 

approximately the same time as the female parent Prunus x incam

'Okame'. Dark red calyces remain ornamental for several weeks after 

flower petals have fallen, giving the illusion of bloom.

Fruit: A drupe. Ovoid, 1⁄2 inch long, dark red at maturity. Readily 

eaten by birds.

Culture: 'First Lady' grows and flowers well in full sun in well-drained soils of 

various types. Requires no pruning to maintain its upright shape.

Propagation: Most commercial propagation is by budding or grafting onto compatible 

rootstocks (P. incisa; P. 'Okame'). Softwood cuttings can be taken from 

juvenile plants; cutting propagation from mature plants is challenging.

Landscape Use: Specimen plant, grouped plantings in residential, park, or public areas, 

highway beautification projects, street plantings, or in areas where a 

narrow-crowned tree is desirable.

Availability: Limited wholesale availability in 2004. For source list of cooperating 

wholesale nurseries, contact Dr. Margaret Pooler, U.S. National 

Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002. 

'First Lady' Flowering Cherry