The pink weeping cherry tree is understood for its plethora of pink flowers in early spring, although, in contrast to most cherry bushes, this one isn’t grown for its fruit. This decorative cherry tree can produce pink or white flowers and is grown primarily for the visible curiosity that it provides to the panorama.
These stunning bushes have the looks of conventional cherry bushes however with weeping branches that resemble a willow. Thus the weeping a part of the identify. Weeping cherries are available quite a lot of sizes as nicely. The usual bushes can attain heights of 30 ft with an identical unfold, whereas the dwarf weeping cherry tree has a most peak of 6 ft tall and broad, which makes it excellent for small areas.
There are even types of weeping cherry bushes that produce double flowers, including an additional layer to their already spectacular spring bloom. It is a deciduous tree. As soon as it blooms within the spring, it places on shiny inexperienced leaves in the summertime. Within the fall, the leaves flip golden and drop to the bottom. The weeping cherry tree is naked in winter till it blooms once more in spring.
Rising weeping cherry bushes is comparatively simple when planted of their perfect location in well-drained soils. They not often want pruning other than eradicating any lifeless or broken branches. Not solely are the blossoms pleasing to the attention, however the flowers present a meals supply for pollinators early within the rising season when not a lot else is accessible.
Whereas the plant doesn’t produce edible fruits, you will need to observe that it produces small inconspicuous berries that may fall to the earth. These don’t trigger a major litter drawback. They principally develop into meals for the birds!
Fast Care Information
| Frequent Identify | Weeping cherry tree, Weeping Higan Cherry, Prunus pendula |
| Scientific Identify | Prunus subhirtella, Prunus pendula pendula, and extra |
| Household | Rosaceae |
| Top & Unfold | Can develop as much as 30 ft tall and broad, dwarf varieties round 6 ft tall and broad |
| Mild | Full solar, can tolerate partial shade |
| Soil | Properly-drained soils |
| Water | Preserve nicely watered, particularly throughout dry intervals |
| Pests & Ailments | Spider mites, Japanese beetles, root rot, cherry leaf spot, powdery mildew |
All About The Weeping Cherry Tree
Prunus subhirtella and Prunus pendula are the botanical names for this tree, often known as the weeping Higan cherry tree. It originated in Japan and was one of many first types of cherry blossom bushes launched to the U.S. and Europe within the mid to late nineteenth century.
In Japanese tradition, cherry blossom bushes symbolize renewal due to their bloom time within the spring. Nonetheless, because the blooms are short-lived, they’re additionally symbolic of the fleeting nature of life. In Western tradition, the reward of a cherry tree is meant to represent good luck.
This perennial tree with weeping branches is taken into account a long-term funding in landscaping as it may possibly develop for as much as 30-40 years. The flowers are small, about an inch in diameter, and vary from white to pinkish-white, and pink.
Since these are deciduous bushes, they may bloom within the early spring. As soon as the blooms fall, they’re changed by inexperienced foliage.
The foliage will ultimately flip golden within the autumn, and the tree will lose its foliage utterly within the winter. The tiny berries that these bushes produce are inedible, however they do present forage for wildlife reminiscent of birds, squirrels and even deer.
Varieties of Weeping Cherry Bushes
There are various various kinds of weeping cherry tree, however right here we’ll focus on the commonest sorts and what makes them stand out from the opposite bushes.
Weeping cherry tree (Prunus pendula, pendula rosea)
That is the preferred number of weeping cherry bushes. It produces deep rosy-pink flowers that bloom on weeping branches in late winter/early spring. Flowers seem in clusters of 2-5 blooms.
As flowers fade, small black inedible berries seem of their place. Mature bushes have a peak and unfold of 15-25 ft. Foliage turns purple and orange within the fall.
Snow fountain dwarf (Prunus serrulata)
This dwarf weeping cherry tree has a mature peak and unfold of 8-10 ft. As its identify would recommend, this selection showcases white flowers giving it the looks of a fountain of snow. The flowers are aromatic, and the inexperienced summer season foliage turns a stunning golden orange within the fall.
Japanese dwarf weeping cherry (Prunus serrulata Kiku-Shidare-Zakura)
This dwarf weeping cherry tree reaches a peak and unfold of 10-15 ft. It produces pink, double flowers. Kiku-Shidare-Zakura means “weeping chrysanthemum cherry” because the pink flowers have the looks of a small chrysanthemum.
Hiromi dwarf weeping cherry (Prunus jacquemontii)
This is among the smaller dwarf weeping cherry tree varieties with a mature peak of 6-7 ft and an expansion of 2-4 ft. Its compact development behavior makes it perfect for small areas. It produces pink flowers, and due to its brief peak and even smaller width, it may possibly seem extra as a bush than a tree.
Double weeping cherry (Prunus pendula plena rosea)
This selection produces deep pink double flowers. These bushes are coated in blooms, clustered in teams of 3-4, every with a purple calyx. Their show lasts every week or so longer than different varieties. Mature peak and unfold of 15-25 ft.
Yoshino cherry (Prunus x yedoensis ‘Shidare Yoshino’)
This sort is among the bigger varieties with a mature peak and unfold of 20-30 ft. The branches are coated in white flowers in early spring. The inexperienced summer season foliage turns a bronze-gold earlier than shedding for the winter.
Weeping Cherry Tree Care
These weeping bushes are comparatively simple to look after, however some base necessities should be met. Learn on to be taught in regards to the perfect rising situations for weeping cherry bushes.
Solar and Temperature
Each common and dwarf weeping cherry tree varieties thrive in full-sun areas that obtain a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct daylight per day. They will tolerate partial shade, although they could not bloom as profusely beneath these situations.
Most weeping cherry tree varieties can survive in USDA hardiness zones 5-10. Nonetheless, you should definitely examine your particular selection as some are usually not suited to hardiness zones 5 and under.
Much like the cherry bushes that produce edible fruit, these bushes want a specific amount of “chill hours” in an effort to break dormancy and flower within the spring. To attain this, most varieties want 700-900 hours under 45 levels Fahrenheit.
Water and Humidity
Water is most vital if you first plant your common or dwarf weeping cherry tree to verify the basis ball will get established. Mature weeping cherry bushes usually tend to survive dry spells, however younger bushes want additional consideration.
To assist with moisture retention at planting, putting a layer of mulch across the tree might be helpful. When mulching, depart a 3-4 inch mulch-free zone across the base of the trunk. It’s finest to water bushes within the morning earlier than the warmth of the day units in. Water frequently till the tree is established.
In the event you stay in a dry local weather, then you could take into account including drip irrigation as a “set it and neglect it” methodology of protecting your tree well-watered all through its lifetime. This isn’t crucial for those who obtain common rain in your space.
Weeping cherry bushes don’t recognize excessive humidity. Excessive humidity, together with poor circulation, can result in fungal points.
Soil
Weeping cherry bushes are usually not choosy relating to soil kind so long as it supplies satisfactory drainage. Nonetheless, they may thrive in a unfastened, loamy soil kind with a impartial pH.
Extra water surrounding the basis ball can result in points with rot. Because of this, keep away from planting these bushes in a low-lying space of the panorama or close to a downspout.
It’s additionally vital to tamp down the earth across the roots when planting to keep away from any air pockets. This helps the roots of newly planted bushes work their approach into the encircling soil simply.
Fertilization
One of many issues that make rising weeping cherry bushes comparatively carefree is that they don’t require further fertilizers in an effort to placed on their spectacular flowers.
A wholesome dose of natural compost or natural materials within the planting gap on the time of transplant might be enough if you develop weeping cherry tree sorts.
In the event you want to provide your tree a lift, then you’ll be able to side-dress with extra natural compost in the beginning of every rising season.
Pruning
Your common or dwarf weeping cherry tree doesn’t require common pruning. Nonetheless, the general well being of the tree and its cover might be improved by pruning to supply satisfactory airflow and to take away diseased or lifeless branches.
It’s endorsed that growers don’t take away excessively drooping branches. In spite of everything, it’s a weeping tree! For a similar purpose, take away branches which might be rising straight, as they may proceed to develop upwards moderately than weeping.
You may additionally wish to take into account planting far sufficient from different bushes and constructions to permit it to unfold its cover absolutely and keep away from the necessity for pruning to manage its measurement and form. Depart exterior drooping branches in place and prune solely to open up the cover for good air circulation.
Once you develop weeping cherry tree, you may additionally want to prune within the occasion of illness points by eradicating affected branches. Don’t minimize the tree when it begins flowering or whereas it shows its pink flowers. It’s best to prune throughout the wintertime whereas the tree is dormant.
Propagation
Like most flowering cherry bushes, weeping cherries might be grown from seed. Nonetheless, that is essentially the most time-consuming methodology. Germination of weeping cherry seeds can take wherever from 4 months to a yr.
They will also be propagated from cuttings. Cuttings might be taken in the summertime from newer wooden. Select a department that has a minimum of 2-4 nodes and leaves.
Observe conventional slicing propagation strategies like dipping in rooting hormone and putting it in soil. Preserve them nicely watered till roots type. Your slicing might be grown in a pot or straight within the floor.
Nonetheless, this methodology requires a number of years to succeed in a full-grown tree. Most weeping cherry bushes which might be accessible commercially, nevertheless, are grafted bushes.
Weeping cherry bushes are sometimes top-grafted bushes, which means the weepy a part of the tree, the scion, is grafted onto the rootstock of a typical single trunk to create an umbrella-like form.
Repotting Weeping Cherry Bushes
Except you develop from a slicing, you doubtless gained’t must re-pot your flowering cherry bushes as you’ll be planting them straight into the bottom. Nonetheless, in case you are rising from cuttings, it would be best to re-pot yearly because the slicing outgrows its container.
Once you do, be sure you choose a container a minimum of 2 inches in diameter bigger than its present container. As soon as your cherry tree reaches about 4-5 ft in peak, you could plant it into the bottom. These bushes can develop to full measurement in about 10 years.
Troubleshooting
Whereas weeping cherry bushes are recognized for his or her gorgeous magnificence and easy-to-manage care necessities, a number of points can come up. These flowering cherries can typically be the goal of many alternative pests and illnesses. It’s finest to stay vigilant and keep forward of any potential issues.
Rising Issues
Pink flowers and total blooming might be diminished attributable to insufficient mild. Because of this, when selecting a planting location, it’s best to decide on a web site with full daylight. Weeping cherries favor as a lot mild as attainable however can tolerate partial shade.
To get the biggest quantity of pink flowers out of your cherry tree, select a spot that will get a minimum of 6-8 hours of daylight per day.
Since your cherry tree might be within the floor for 30-40 years after planting, you’ll wish to choose one of the best spot. To find out whether or not or not an space will get sufficient mild, you should definitely examine it within the morning, mid-day, and early night.
It’s vital to do that within the winter when the solar’s rays are lowest within the sky since this would be the minimal quantity of sunshine that any given area will obtain. Then you’ll be able to benefit from the flowering cherries with their pink blooms in spring. Bear in mind to mulch across the base of the crops to retain moisture.
Pests
Spider mites are small tick-like arachnids that feed on the leaves of bushes and crops. There are various various kinds of spider mites that may be purple, inexperienced, yellow, or brown. It’s possible you’ll discover web-like constructions on the leaves, which might point out their presence.
Whereas they do feed on the younger leaves, they normally depart behind solely beauty injury, reminiscent of chew marks. If caught early, the spider mites might be blasted off with water.
Severe infestations might be handled with horticultural oil sprays. Nonetheless, pure predators might transfer in to handle the remainder of the infestation, as lacewings like to snack on them! Along with mites, aphids and caterpillars will also be a nuisance, however once more, they trigger little greater than beauty injury, and their pure predators abound.
Japanese beetles are roughly ⅜ inch lengthy with shiny inexperienced our bodies and tan wings. They’re an invasive species and are the bane of every thing out of your vegetable backyard to your bushes. They feed on plant leaves and flowers, normally in massive teams.
Japanese beetles could cause severe injury to your tree’s branches and trunk. They will defoliate massive sections or skeletonize the leaves. In the event you catch the issue early on, you’ll be able to take away affected branches and apply natural pest management.
Utilizing a pyrethrin spray is essentially the most dependable methodology of controlling Japanese beetles. Nonetheless, a product known as milky spore powder can be utilized over time to regularly scale back the variety of beetle grubs that overwinter in your spore. Observe all software instructions for each of those merchandise.
Ailments
As talked about above, this plant requires well-draining soil. Permitting these flowering bushes to sit down in standing water, or to be overwatered, can result in a fungal illness that causes root rot. If an excessive amount of moisture is gathering round your cherry tree and also you discover that development is lackluster and leaves appear to wilt, even with satisfactory water, then you might have a problem of rot.
To right this concern, take away soil from across the base of the tree to disclose the higher roots and permit the realm to dry out. As soon as the contaminated space is dry, spray the trunk with a copper fungicide in accordance with the instructions. Let the soil dry earlier than persevering with to water once more.
Powdery mildew seems as a white powder on the foliage, particularly in areas that obtain quite a lot of rain or humidity. In these areas, form your cherry tree to offer it satisfactory airflow, eradicating any younger branches that develop in the direction of the middle of the tree’s cover. This fungal illness does little hurt to the tree however will scale back its total look.
Leaves can prematurely drop, and an unhealthy tree might be extra vulnerable to pests. In some areas, it’s fairly frequent for powdery mildew to look on the finish of the rising season. Since it is a deciduous plant, you could wait it out till the leaves drop within the autumn, as it will resolve the difficulty naturally.
Cherry leaf spot is yet one more one of many fungal illnesses that plague the weeping cherry tree. It causes purple, yellow, and black spots on the leaves. The dimensions of the spots will develop because the an infection spreads, and this ultimately causes the leaf to drop.
Fungicides with an energetic ingredient of myclobutanil or captan can defend leaves from an infection of leaf spot, however some leaf spot has developed resistance to myclobutanil whether it is utilized too typically.
Regularly Requested Questions
Q: Is weeping cherry tree?
A: Sure! They add a fantastic point of interest to your panorama, require little to no pruning, and might final for as much as 30-40 years.
Q: How messy are weeping cherry bushes?
A: Typically, they’re not messy. These bushes don’t produce edible fruit. Most produce very small, hardly noticeable berries after they drop to the earth.
Q: Can I plant a weeping cherry tree near my home?
A: It’s not a good suggestion to plant any tree proper subsequent to the home as its roots could cause basis injury, particularly to slab foundations.
Q: Do weeping cherry bushes have invasive roots?
A: The weeping cherry tree has a nonaggressive root system.
Q: How huge do weeping cherry bushes get?
A: Some varieties can develop to be 30 ft tall and broad. Most dwarf varieties are round 6 ft tall and broad.
Q: The place ought to I plant a weeping cherry tree?
A: Select a planting web site that receives full sunilght and has unfastened, well-draining soils.
Q: What’s the lifespan of a weeping cherry tree?
A: Weeping cherry bushes can develop for 30-40 years.
Q: What does a weeping cherry appear to be in the summertime?
A: Shiny inexperienced leaves seem on this deciduous decorative tree in summer season.
