In the spring, weeping cherry trees with cascading branches produce masses of lovely pinkish-white flowers. While weeping cherry blossom petals are brief-lived, they produce wonderful hues in the gardens of a short time. Their drooping, umbrella-like growth habit is thanks to their pendulous, arching branches.
From tiny weeping cherry tree blooms at 8 feet (2.4 meters) to enormous weeping cherry blossom tree blooms, there are numerous sizes of weeping cherry tree blossoms. In gardens, weeping cherry trees provide lovely hues of pink and white. Caring for these beautiful blossom trees, on the other hand, may be difficult.
When weeping cherry trees are grown in full sun and well-drained soil, they thrive best. You’ll learn about some of the greatest weeping cherry tree types and varieties in this article. You’ll also learn some tricks on how to cultivate these cherry blossom trees in your front or back yard.
What are Weeping Cherry Trees?
The genus Prunus includes weeping cherry trees, which are deciduous blooming trees. Since they are soft and limp, the cascading tree branches droop down low. As a result of their weight, these flexible branches weep. A cherry tree rootstock has been used to graft the weeping portion of the cherry tree onto it.
When planted in full sun, weeping cherry trees do best in USDA planting zones 4 through 8. The fruit of weeping cherry trees is tiny and inedible due to its sour flavor. The fruit-feeding weeping cherry blossom trees, on the other hand, are appealing to birds.
White or pink flower clusters bloom on weeping cherry trees, with at least five petals each. The weeping branches are nearly touching the ground and are covered in these flowers. White or pink weeping cherry blooms with solitary or double blooms can be found. In most cherry tree cultivars, the masses of lovely flowers bloom on the arching branches before the foliage.
Sakura is a name for a number of cherry blossom tree varieties. Some Japanese weeping cherry trees are simply referred to as sakuras, which is the Japanese name for cherry blossom. The Japanese Weeping Cherry, Prunus serrulata ‘Kiku-Shidare-Zakura,’ is one of the most popular weeping trees.
Year-long interest is seen in many weeping cherry blossom tree cultivars. Glossy green lanceolate leaves on cascading branches provide shade to some types of trees in the summer. In the autumn, their leaves turn a vivid orange, scarlet, or gold.
How Big do Weeping Cherry Trees Get?
The weeping cherry trees are about 20 to 35 feet (6 to 10.6 meters) tall when fully mature. Their arching and cascading canopy may reach the height of the tree.
What is Dwarf Weeping Cherry Tree?
The weeping cherry trees, dwarf versions of the normal weeping cherry trees, are smaller. Dwarf weeping cherry blossom trees are ideal for tiny backyards or as a dwarf flowering specimen tree since they have a small growth.
How Big do Dwarf Weeping Cherry Trees Get?
Between 6 and 10 feet (1.8 and 3 meters) tall, dwarf weeping cherry trees grow. Because their branches frequently hang down vertically to the ground, miniature weeping cherry trees often have a slender appearance.
Varieties of Dwarf Weeping Cherry Trees
These are some of the most common types of dwarf weeping cherry trees for garden landscapes:
- Snow Fountain dwarf weeping cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Snow Fountain’). This tiny cherry blossom tree has a weeping tendency and produces copious amounts offragrant flowers.
- Japanese flowering dwarf weeping cherry tree (Prunus ‘Kiku-Shidare-Zakura’). This magnificent sakura has gorgeous, gracefully drooping branches and stunning double pink blooms.
- Hiromi dwarf weeping cherry tree (Prunus jacquemontii ‘Hiromi’). When cherry blossoms bloom in the spring, this tiny weeping, compact tree explodes into pink.
How to Care for Weeping Cherry Trees
In full sun, grow weeping cherry trees to receive enough light. It’s also important to keep the soil moist without being soggy by watering the cherry tree on a regular basis. Plant the trees with a sufficient distance between the arching umbrella canopies to allow for adequate air circulation to ensure optimum development.
Weeping Cherry Blossom Season
Flowers bloom in the springtime from weeping cherry trees. Just two to three weeks after the cherry blossoms appear, they’re gone. The weeping cherry trees with double blooms are usually the ones that last the longest. The double weeping cherry tree, Prunus pendula ‘Rosea,’ is a pioneer bloomer. Other cherry tree cultivars may bloom later.
Types of Weeping Cherry Trees (With Pictures)
Let’s examine some of the most stunning instances of weeping cherry trees in bloom in spring in further depth.
Weeping Higan Cherry (Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’)
Weeping Higan cherry trees, also known as Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula,’ grow to be 30 feet (9 meters) tall. When the higan cherry blossom trees bloom in the spring, they produce clusters of double pinkish-white blooms with their umbrella canopy. The glossy green lance-shaped leaves that droop over the branches during the summer.
The Weeping Higan cherry, on the other hand, has poor autumn foliage. The drooping Higan cherry tree branches almost touch the ground, evoking tears. As a result, to stroll or sit in the shade beneath the tree, regular trimming is necessary. The spectacular white or light pink blooms of Weeping Higan cherry trees are the main attraction.
Double Weeping Cherry (Prunus x subhirtella ‘Pendula Plena Rosea’)
A stunning fast growing tree that blossoms in mid-spring with double pink flowers is the double weeping cherry blossom (Prunus ‘Pendula Plena Rosea). One of the weeping cherry tree cultivars’ longest-blooming varieties is this pink pendulous cherry tree.
With a spread of up to 25 feet (7.6 meters), the Double Weeping cherry tree grows between 15 and 25 feet (4.5 and 7.6 meters) tall. Drooping growth is not just visible on the branches of this Japanese cherry tree. In clusters of three or four blooms, the magnificent pink blossoms dangle from branches.
Weeping Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis ‘Shidare-Yoshino’)
The Japanese weeping Yoshino cherry tree has slender weeping branches and is named Prunus x yedoensis ‘Shidare-Yoshino.’ The hanging branches of this early-spring bloomer are covered with white blossom clusters. Summer canopy is created by dark green pointed lanceolate leaves after the white blooms have fallen.
Before falling, they acquire a bronze and gold tint. With a drooping canopy up to 30 feet (9 meters) wide, the Shidare-Yoshino cultivar grows to between 20 and 25 feet (6 and 7.6 meters). USDA zones 5 through 8 are home to these weeping Japanese cherry trees, which thrive in full sun and moist soil.
Japanese Weeping Cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kiku-Shidare-Zakura’)
The tiny deciduous Japanese weeping cherry trees, also known as sakura or Cheal’s weeping cherry, have lovely showy pink ruffled flowers. The large cherry blossom has up to 125 petals and grows up to 1.5″ (3.5 cm) across. The fact that they bloom in clusters of three to five blooms on bare drooping branches adds to the allure of these enormous flowers. As a specimen tree in your front or backyard, the Japanese weeping cherry tree thrives the best.
You might cultivate the Japanese weeping cherry (Prunus “Kiku-Shidare-Zakura”) as a dwarf weeping cherry tree or cultivar if you trim it carefully. The cherry tree grows to be between 10 and 15 feet (3 and 4.6 meters) tall with a radius of up to 10 feet (3 meters).
Pink Snow Showers Weeping Cherry (Prunus x ‘Pisnshzam’ syn. Prunus ‘Pink Snow Showers’)
Little landscaping flowering trees that bloom in the spring are Pink Snow Showers weeping cherry trees. Double pink or mauve blooms adorn the cascading branches. Pink Snow Showers are a prized weeping cherry variety because of their elegant drooping flowers and leaves.
The crimson bark of this weeping cherry tree stands out against the deep green foliage that turn golden yellow in the autumn, giving it a stunning appearance. With a comparable spread, this graceful weeping cherry tree grows up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) tall.
Types of Dwarf Weeping Cherry Trees (With Pictures)
Several weeping cherry tree types are dwarf tree kinds due to their compact development. Let’s take a look at some of the most spectacular dwarf weeping cherry trees.
Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry Tree (Prunus serrulata ‘Snow Fountain’)
The weeping Cherry Snow Fountain is a diminutive example of Prunus serrulata, or weeping cherry tree. On hanging branches that reach the ground, masses of fragrant white flowers bloom. Before the dark green leaves emerge, the ‘Snow Fountain’ cherry tree blossoms in mid-spring. The colorful foliage turns brilliant orange and golden-yellow hues in the autumn.
This little weeping cherry tree, which grows between 8 and 15 feet (2.4 and 4.5 meters) tall, is a slow-growing cultivar. The cherry tree has a narrow spread of only 8 feet (2.4 meters) due to the branches hanging almost vertically down. It thrives in full sun and rich, moisture soil with excellent drainage, much like all cherry tree cultivars. A ‘Snow Fountain’ cherry tree can be found in any garden landscape.
Hiromi Weeping Cherry Tree (Prunus jacquemontii ‘Hiromi’)
The smallest kind of weeping cherry tree is Hiromi weeping cherry trees. The 6 ft. (1.8 m) tall spreading shrub-like cherry tree has drooping branches. With a spread of about 2 feet (0.6 meters), the nearly vertically hanging branches gives the drooping tree a slender appearance.
How to Plant a Weeping Cherry Tree
Before the buds and leaves emerge, weeping cherry trees should be sown in the spring. However, according to some experts, transplanting an mature tree may be done at any season. To reduce root stress and ensure the tree is stable, it’s important to take care of it in the first few months.
The best weeping cherry trees bloom profusely in a sunny environment, although some shade is also acceptable. You must maintain the soil moist, since weeping cherry trees dislike dry settings. You must have excellent drainage. The tree will be healthy and disease-free if there is adequate air circulation.
When transferring weeping cherry trees, make sure to treat them gently. Dig a hole three times the size of the root ball but not deeper than it to prepare the ground for planting. The right depth for planting your weeping cherry tree is indicated by the soil line on the trunk. You should see a graft bump near the base of the tree with small and dwarf weeping trees. This should be set 2–3 inches (5.5–7.5 cm) above the ground’s surface.
To let the roots system develop and sustain the tree, you’ll also need to stake the weeping cherry tree for the first year. Fill the remaining area with soil with perlite mixed in for extra drainage when your tree is at the proper height. It’s critical to avoid damaging the roots while you’re working.
To eliminate any air pockets, press the surface firmly. After that, thoroughly water the plant and surround it with a 2″ (5 cm) layer of mulch, leaving a 2″ (5 cm) gap around the trunk. During dry spells, you’ll have to water the tree frequently throughout the first two seasons to keep it healthy.
How to Prune Weeping Cherry Tree
Early spring or late fall is the ideal time to trim weeping cherry trees. The tree’s development is slowed during this time, so you won’t stress it. Therefore, before flower buds form or after the leaves have fallen, you’ll need to trim the weeping branches. Only dead, rotting, or ill branches should be removed from weeping cherry trees. The long, drooping branches of weeping cherry trees are used to make furniture.
If you need to walk under a tall weeping tree, the only time to prune it is by shortenning the branches. Use a sharp pair of sterilized pruning shears when trimming weeping cherry trees. Snap the dangling branches to a height of roughly 6 inches (15 cm) from the ground.
Weeping Cherry Growing Tips
To cultivate weeping cherry trees in your garden, extra care and attention is required. These drooping cherry trees should be grown in rich sunlight in moist but never soggy soil as the primary factor for their growth. However, when it comes to cultivating weeping cherry trees, there are a few more factors to consider.
Weeping cherry trees grow best excellent drainage; in loamy soil Wailing cherry trees favour acidic, rich soil in backyards. To make the soil more acidic, you should apply compost to sandy soil. To enhance drainage, you can also use perlite, pumice, or crushed granite. Containers are suitable for weeping cherry trees. Use an aerated potting mix with one part houseplant soil, one part peat moss, and one part perlite if you choose to do this.
Weeping cherry trees need enough watering to keep the ground moist without making it soggy. During dry spells, you should water a weeping cherry tree once or twice a week to help it soak down to the roots. Nevertheless, whenever watering, allow the soil to dry out. If weeping cherry trees are grown in waterlogged soil, they’ll suffer root rot. Watering weeping cherry trees during the winter is not required. They don’t need additional watering since cherry tree growth has gone dormant.
Weeping cherry trees benefit from fertilizing To encourage bright flowers and healthy development, start in the early spring. Slow-release fertilizers help ensure that your plants get enough nutrients throughout the growing season. Compost is the finest fertilizer for weeping cherry blossom trees.
Spread plenty of compost beneath the cascading branches to get your cherry tree ready to bloom in the spring. Mulch may also be used to retain moisture and deliver nutrients as it decomposes. In the spring, weeping cherry trees have suckers that need to be removed. The base of the trunk is a good place to look for new growth.
As soon as you notice them, you should remove them. Also examine the rootstock’s graft scar. Shoot growth can also occur here, so you should get rid of them right away.