With its graceful, cascading branches covered in pristine white blooms each spring the Snow Fountain weeping cherry is one of the most elegant and popular flowering trees for landscapes. But before planting this eye-catching specimen it’s important to understand its mature size, growth habits and care needs.
Overview of Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry
Snow Fountain weeping cherry (Prunus x ‘Snofozam’) is a compact, fast-growing ornamental cherry cultivar Here are some quick facts
- Originated as a chance seedling in Ohio around 1985.
- Grows to a mature height and width of 8-15 feet.
- Features a rounded, weeping or fountain-like form.
- Profuse, fragrant white flowers in spring.
- Bronze-red fall color.
- Zones 5-8.
- Low maintenance once established.
With lovely blooms and graceful cascading branches, this petite Prunus is perfect for small yards or used as a focal point. Let’s explore Snow Fountain’s size and growth in more detail.
Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry Tree Size
Snow Fountain weeping cherry develops into a shrubby, dwarf tree typically maturing in the 8 to 15 foot height range. It grows at a slow rate of less than 12 inches per year.
Here are some size guidelines:
- Year 1-2: 4-6 feet
- Year 3-5: 6-10 feet
- Full maturity: 8-15 feet high x 6-8 feet wide
The weeping branches gracefully sweep down and may touch the ground. But the height can be controlled with pruning if desired.
Snow Fountain flowering cherry is grafted onto a standard rootstock. So it grows as a small tree with a dominant central leader and visible trunk. The crown maintains a rounded, umbrella-like shape.
Buying Options Based on Snow Fountain’s Size
Snow Fountain is sold at garden centers and nurseries in containers ranging from 5 gallons up to 15 gallons. It’s also available:
- Bare root in smaller sizes up to about 6 feet tall.
- Balled-and-burlapped in the larger tree sizes.
For the quickest impact, select the largest tree your budget allows. Just keep the mature height in mind – make sure Snow Fountain won’t eventually outgrow the space.
Here are some typical sizes:
- 5-6 feet – A medium-sized tree with light branching and a 1/2 to 3/4 inch trunk caliper. Fits smaller areas.
- 7-8 feet – Larger tree with fuller shape and thicker caliper nearing 1 inch. Provides faster impact.
- 10-12 feet – Extra-large specimen tree with heavy branching and 1-2 inch caliper trunk. For immediate aesthetics.
No matter what size you choose, Snow Fountain won’t get too overpowering given its compact nature. Just give it room to showcase the graceful, cascading form.
Snow Fountain’s Growth Rate
Snow Fountain weeping cherry is considered a fast-growing variety, especially for a flowering cherry. But “fast” is relative.
It grows at a moderate rate of less than 12 inches per year. This makes it slower growing than species like star magnolia and Yoshino cherry trees. But it develops quicker than slow-pace trees like Japanese maples and dogwoods.
The fast growth primarily occurs in the first 5 years after planting. Afterward, the gain in height and width slows down. Plan on growth of 1-2 feet per year during the establishment period.
Proper pruning and care will keep Snow Fountain’s size in check. It matures into a petite, compact tree compared to other ornamental cherries.
Caring for Snow Fountain Cherry Trees
Here are some tips to ensure your Snow Fountain weeping cherry thrives:
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Sunlight – Full sun is required for best growth and flowering. At least 6 hours of direct sun daily.
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Soil – Prefers moist, well-draining soil. Avoid constantly soggy conditions.
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Planting – Give it plenty of space from structures, walkways, and other trees. Plant in spring or fall.
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Watering – Water 1-2 times per week while establishing for the first year. Then taper off.
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Fertilizer – Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring and mid-fall. Avoid high nitrogen varieties.
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Pruning – Prune strategically in summer to shape and contain size. Avoid heavy pruning.
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Pests – Can be susceptible to aphids, borers, leaf spot, and other cherry tree issues. Monitor closely.
With its naturally petite size, Snow Fountain is well-suited to today’s gardens and smaller landscapes. A properly sited and cared for tree will provide beauty for many years to come.
Where to Position Snow Fountain in the Landscape
Here are some ideal locations for showcasing weeping cherry trees like Snow Fountain:
- Specimen focal point in the lawn or island bed
- Flanking an entryway
- Near a patio, deck or outdoor living space
- Next to a water feature or koi pond
- In a courtyard or other enclosed garden
- Driveway or sidewalk border
Avoid tucking Snow Fountain in obscure corners. The graceful form is meant to be viewed and enjoyed! Give it a prominent display spot.
Achieving the Right Scale in the Garden
When planting weeping cherry trees, it’s important to consider their scale in relation to your home, outdoor spaces and other landscape features.
As a general rule of thumb, the tree should be positioned at least 1.5 times its mature width away from structures like your house. This gives the branches room to spread and cascade without encroaching.
For example, if the expected width at maturity is 8 feet, plant at least 12 feet away from the foundation or walls. Scale down for smaller gardens, further for expansive landscapes.
dwarf varieties and achieve your dream landscape!
Weeping cherry trees like Snow Fountain offer elegance and beauty in a compact, multi-season package. Once you understand the mature size and growth characteristics, it’s easy to find the perfect spot to showcase these graceful specimens.
How To Plant Snow Fountains® Weeping Cherry
The Snow Fountain® Weeping Cherry does well in most types of soil as long as it stays dry. It does well in sunny spots. You’ll want to watch out for Japanese beetles, which may chew Snow Fountain’s® leaves in summer. They may be picked off by hand or controlled with chemicals or organic sprays.
For the first three to five weeks, water twice a week. After that, water once a week until winter. When you water, water very slowly and very thoroughly. The water needs to reach to the bottom of the root ball and that takes time. Watering needs may be altered due to extreme weather conditions.
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant Food granular form into the soil when planting. If you plant in the spring or summer, you should start fertilizing in late fall with granular Elements Starter Plant Food every year in the fall. When you plant in the fall, use Elements fertilizer. The next fall, you should start your regular yearly fertilizing. Do this every year for the first three years to help your plant get established. It will also give your tree the nutrients it needs to grow lush new leaves in the spring.
Prune your Cherry in late spring after flowering or in very early summer. Because this tree is grafted, keep an eye out for suckers that grow straight up from the trunk or from the base of the tree. Cut these off right away.
Why plant Snow Fountains® Weeping Cherry?
No garden is too big or too small for a Snow Fountain® Weeping Cherry! This dwarf weeping tree grows quickly but stays small, and its neat, well-kept shape makes it perfect for formal parts of your yard, like by your front door, along the street, or near your pool or patio. In the spring, when the pure white flowers cover the branches so thickly that you can’t see the trunk, you’ll have your own little Cherry Blossom Festival. But Snow Fountain® is also a great fall flower, even though the cherry blossoms get all the attention.
Snow Fountain® Weeping Cherry originated near Cleveland in 1985 at Lake County Nursery. LCN has been a prolific source of new plants, with nearly 150 introductions to date. In making their selections, they strive to produce plants with four-season appeal that are low-maintenance and naturally pest-resistant. In that case, they couldn’t be happier with Snow Fountain®! Our High-Form Snow Fountains® are grafted at five feet, and the branches fall off from there. You can cut the branches back to show off the beautiful bronze bark, or you can let them fall to the ground.