Weeping cherry trees are captivating ornamental plants, cherished for their distinctive cascading branches and stunning spring blossoms. Their graceful, pendulous limbs become adorned with a profusion of delicate flowers each spring, transforming the tree into a living floral fountain. Many varieties exist, each offering unique characteristics in terms of bloom color, size, and growth habit, making them versatile additions to diverse garden designs.
Defining Weeping Cherry Trees
Weeping cherry trees, scientifically classified under the genus Prunus, are renowned for their characteristic “weeping” or pendulous growth habit. Unlike upright cherry trees, their branches naturally arch downward, often reaching toward the ground, creating a graceful, umbrella-like silhouette. This distinctive form is typically achieved through grafting, where a weeping cultivar is joined to the straight trunk of a different, upright cherry rootstock. While not grown for their fruit, which is often small and inedible, these ornamental trees are prized for their spectacular floral displays.
The bloom time for most weeping cherry trees generally falls in early to mid-spring, often before their leaves fully emerge, offering a vibrant burst of color after winter. Their flowers can range from pure white to various shades of pink, appearing in single or double forms. Beyond their spring beauty, many varieties also provide multi-season interest with attractive fall foliage and an appealing winter silhouette created by their bare, arching branches. These trees typically originate from Asia, particularly Japan, where they have been cultivated for centuries for their aesthetic appeal.
Exploring Popular Varieties
Several weeping cherry varieties stand out for their beauty and adaptability, each offering unique features suitable for different garden settings.
The Weeping Higan Cherry (Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’) is a classic choice, recognized for its prolific display of single, pale pink flowers that often appear before the leaves in early spring. This fast-growing variety can mature to 20 to 40 feet tall and wide, forming a broad, mounding canopy of pendulous branches. Its dark green leaves turn yellow in the fall, offering modest autumn color.
‘Snow Fountains’ Weeping Cherry (Prunus ‘Snofozam’) is a compact variety featuring a profusion of pure white, single flowers that emerge from pink buds in early spring, cascading down its branches. Growing 8 to 15 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide, it is suitable for smaller spaces. Its dark green foliage transforms into attractive shades of gold and orange in autumn, providing extended seasonal interest.
The ‘Kiku-shidare-zakura’, also known as Cheal’s Weeping Cherry, is prized for its densely double, soft pink flowers resembling chrysanthemums, appearing in late April to early May. This small deciduous tree forms an umbrella-shaped crown with hanging branches, reaching 10 to 15 feet tall and wide. Its leaves emerge bronze, mature to bright green, and turn yellow-orange in autumn, while its bark develops a shiny, coppery, peeling texture for winter appeal.
Prunus x yedoensis ‘Shidare-Yoshino’ offers abundant clusters of single white, sometimes blush-tinged, fragrant flowers in early spring on bare, pendulous branches. This variety typically grows 20 to 25 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide, developing a dramatic weeping habit. Its dark green leaves display attractive bronze and gold or fiery autumn colors.
Prunus ‘Pink Cloud’ is a slightly weeping, rounded tree known for its profusion of soft pink, single flowers that appear in early spring. This variety typically reaches 12 to 15 feet tall and wide. Its green foliage offers yellow, orange, and red fall colors, making it a good choice for warmer climates and for attracting birds.
Selecting Your Weeping Cherry Tree
Choosing the appropriate weeping cherry tree involves considering several factors to ensure it thrives in your garden. Available space is a primary consideration, as mature sizes vary significantly among varieties, requiring ample room for their weeping branches to spread. Climate and hardiness zone also play a crucial role; most weeping cherries are hardy in USDA Zones 5-8, but specific varieties may have different tolerances.
Desired bloom characteristics, such as flower color, timing, and duration, should guide your selection. Beyond spring flowers, consider the tree’s fall foliage interest, as some varieties offer vibrant autumn colors. Finally, personal aesthetic preference for tree shape, size, and overall appearance will help you select the weeping cherry that best complements your landscape vision.
Essential Care for Weeping Cherry Trees
These ornamental trees generally perform best when planted in full sun, receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Adequate sunlight promotes abundant flowering and helps reduce susceptibility to fungal diseases.
Well-drained soil is crucial for weeping cherries, as they dislike soggy conditions that can lead to root rot. A good garden loam, rich in organic matter, with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0, is ideal. While their water needs are average, maintaining consistently moist soil, especially during the growing season and the tree’s establishment period, is beneficial.
Annual fertilization in early spring, before new growth appears, with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for ornamental trees, supports vigorous growth and flowering. Pruning is primarily done to maintain the tree’s graceful shape and health, typically after flowering in late spring or early summer. It involves removing any dead, damaged, or crossing branches and trimming any vertical shoots that may emerge from the rootstock below the graft union, as these will not have the weeping habit.