Weeping cherry trees are renowned for their graceful, cascading branches laden with beautiful spring blooms They make breathtaking focal points in any landscape. With over a hundred weeping cherry cultivars available, it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect one for your garden This guide explores some of the most popular and easily grown weeping cherry trees to help you select the ideal variety.
What Makes Weeping Cherries Unique
Weeping cherry trees belong to the genus Prunus, like other ornamental flowering cherries They are characterized by their pendulous branching habit Unlike regular cherry trees that grow upright, weeping cherries have flexible, arching branches that give them a flowing, fountain-like shape.
While most cherries bloom in spring, weeping varieties also provide superb multi-season interest:
- Graceful flowing form creates focal point all year
- Bright spring blooms in white, pink, or red
- Lush green summer foliage
- Fantastic autumn leaf colors in some varieties
- Striking bark texture in winter
Weeping cherries grow well in zones 5-9 and need minimal care once established. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. To maximize blooms, prune immediately after flowering in early summer.
Captivating White-Flowering Weeping Cherry Trees
White-blooming weeping cherry trees are hugely popular for their pure snowy floral displays. They create a stunning contrast against their black branches.
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‘Snow Fountains’ – The quintessential weeping cherry, ‘Snow Fountains’ features a rounded canopy of cascading branches smothered in pure white, single blooms in spring It’s one of the smaller weeping cherries, reaching 8-15 feet high and wide at maturity.
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‘Hokusai’ – This vigorous, cold-hardy variety bears endless white blossoms that emerge pink and fade to white. Its broad umbrella-like form displays reddish-orange fall color.
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‘Pendula’ – An elegant small tree with long, slender weeping branches. Lightly fragrant white flowers appear in late spring before the leaves emerge.
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‘Pendula Plena Rosea’ – In early spring, weeping branches are laden with unique semi-double pink buds opening to pure white blooms with ruffled edges. Striking bare branch structure in winter.
Stunning Pink Weeping Flowering Cherries
For those desiring pink spring blooms, these cascade beautifully against the black branches and can brighten up any dreary landscape:
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‘Kiku-shidare-zakura’ – The most desired pink weeping cherry. Its lush, pendulous branches bear loads of semi-double rich pink blooms. Named the Cheery Blossom of the Year in Japan in 2010.
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‘Pendula Rubra’ – Earlier to bloom than other weeping cherries, with crimson-pink single flowers smothering its weeping branches in early spring. Foliage emerges bronze, maturing to green.
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‘Shidare Yoshino’ – An iconic cascading cherry tree that explodes in pale pink single blossoms. Its gracefully weeping branches provide multi-season beauty. Often used in Japanese gardens.
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‘Subhirtella Pendula’ – Called the Winter Cherry for its early spring blooms. Pendulous branches produce light pink semi-double blossoms on bare branches in late winter in mild climates.
Exotic and Unusual Weeping Cherry Varieties
Looking for something a bit different? Check out these exotic cherries:
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‘Accolade’ – Awarded for its fantastic bloom display. Long weeping branches smothered in semi-double bright pink flowers. Fast growing to 20 feet tall.
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‘Autumnalis Rosea’ – Truly unique weeping cherry that blooms again in fall. Its pendulous branches first bloom with pale pink single spring flowers, followed by lighter fall blooms. Foliage turns orange-red in autumn.
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‘Chrysosolepis’ – A rare, smaller weeping cherry with white flowers and brilliant yellow-gold fall foliage. Its cascading branches provide year-round beauty and interest.
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‘Pink Snow Showers’ – Elegant small weeping cherry laden with pure pink double blooms in early spring. Foliage emerges red, turning green. Lovely red fall color.
How to Grow Healthy Weeping Cherry Trees
Weeping cherries make a stunning addition to any landscape. Follow these tips for success growing them:
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Sunlight: Choose a spot with full sun for optimal growth and flowering. Morning sun is essential, with afternoon shade accepted.
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Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil amended with compost is ideal. Avoid soggy soil.
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Planting: Dig a hole 2-3 times wider than the root ball. Set the tree at the same level it was growing in the nursery container and backfill.
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Watering: Water regularly for the first two years to establish roots. Then water during droughts, about 1-2 inches per week.
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Fertilizer: In early spring, apply a balanced fertilizer suitable for flowering trees, following label directions.
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Pruning: After spring blooms fade, remove any dead or damaged growth. Prune to enhance shape after flowering.
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Pest/disease control: Most issues are minor. Promote vigor through proper care.
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Hardiness: Select varieties suited to your zone. Protect young trees from harsh winter winds.
With stunning colors, intoxicating spring blooms, and elegant weeping shapes, it’s easy to see why weeping cherry trees have become garden mainstays. Just be sure to give them enough space to showcase their magnificent tiered, fountain-like form. Any of these varieties are sure to become a focal point in your landscape!
Graceful growth with a few of spring’s first blooms.
There are many beautiful spring trees, but the Weeping Cherry Tree stands out because of its rich pink and white colors and full, fluffy blooms. Some of the first trees to bloom when the weather gets warmer, which makes them a classic, easy-to-grow, and beautiful choice.
How to Plant Weeping Cherry Trees
Weeping Cherry Trees need full to partial sun (4 to 8 hours of sun per day) and well-drained soil. The exact way to plant them will depend on the type you choose. Additionally, it is important to make sure that you are in the right growing zone for Weeping Cherry Trees.
From there, the actual planting process is easy. Make a hole big enough for your Cherry tree’s root ball plus some extra room for it to grow. Then, put the tree in the hole and fill it back up with soil. Finally, water the surrounding soil to settle your Cherry Tree’s roots and mulch to conserve moisture.
How to grow Snow Fountains® Weeping Cherry – Weeping White Flowering Cherry
FAQ
Are there different types of weeping cherry trees?
What are the disadvantages of a weeping cherry tree?
What is the best small weeping cherry tree?
How tall do dwarf weeping cherry trees get?
What are the different types of dwarf weeping cherry trees?
Here are the types of dwarf weeping cherry trees to grow in your garden. Often called sakura, Japanese dwarf weeping cherry trees have stunning pink, showy blossoms. Each flower head is a mass of ruffled petals that grow in clusters hanging off drooping branches. The chrysanthemum-like flowers give off a fragrant scent.
Do weeping cherry trees grow well?
Weeping cherry trees add delightful shades of pink and white to gardens. However, caring for these ornamental blossom trees can be tricky. Weeping cherry trees grow best when planted in full sun and well-drained soil. In this article, you’ll find out about some of the best weeping cherry trees and varieties of dwarf weeping cherry trees.
What is a small weeping cherry tree?
Miniature weeping cherry blossom trees are smaller cultivars of the larger species. However, with plenty of pruning, most weeping cherry trees can be trained to have short growth under 15 ft. (4.5 m) tall. Yet, buying the dwarf cherry tree cultivars means you have less maintenance to enjoy this small weeping tree in your garden.
Do weeping cherry trees have pink flowers?
This dwarf weeping cherry tree reaches a height and spread of 10-15 feet. It produces pink, double flowers. Kiku-Shidare-Zakura means “ weeping chrysanthemum cherry ” as the pink flowers have the appearance of a small chrysanthemum. Prunus jacquemontii is a compact tree that produces pink flowers.