Weeping Cherry

Weeping cherry usually refers to pendulous forms of Prunus subhirtella (Higan cherry) such as 'Pendula' and 'Snow Fountains', though the name is also applied to weeping Prunus serrulata cultivars like 'Cheal's Weeping' (Kiku-shidare-zakura).

The branches arch up from a grafted standard then cascade toward the ground, creating a domed fountain that erupts into bloom before or as the leaves emerge.

Many are sold as grafted standards, with the weeping crown budded onto a straight upright trunk to fix the height of the cascade.

• Flowers: single or double, pale pink to white, borne in profusion along the branches in early to mid spring
• Branches: long, slender and strongly pendulous, hanging from a domed crown to near the ground
• Leaves: alternate, oval with finely toothed edges, dark green turning yellow-bronze in fall
• Size: typically 15-25 ft tall and wide depending on graft height and cultivar
• Bark: smooth, reddish-brown with prominent horizontal lenticels

Light: full sun (at least 6 hours) for the heaviest bloom and good form.

Water: water deeply and regularly during establishment and in summer drought; mature trees tolerate moderate dryness.

Soil: moist, well-drained, slightly acidic loam; avoid soggy sites which invite root rot.

Feeding: a light spring feeding of balanced fertilizer supports growth; avoid heavy nitrogen.

Pruning: prune just after flowering; remove any upright shoots from above the graft and suckers from below it to preserve the weeping form.

Propagation: named cultivars are grafted; they do not come true from seed.

The parent species are native to Japan, where flowering cherries have been cultivated and selected for centuries. Higan cherry (Prunus subhirtella) is a long-lived garden cherry of Japanese origin.

Weeping cherries are grown ornamentally throughout temperate regions, hardy in roughly USDA zones 4-8, and are popular in lawns, near patios and beside water features.