Prunus Cheal's Weeping - Japanese Cherry Kiku Shidare Zakura
Prunus Kiku Shidare Zakura, Weeping Chrysanthemum Cherry, known in the West as Cheal's Weeping Cherry tree, is one of the smallest forms of flowering cherry available and can fit into just about any space. Its Japanese name means "weeping chrysanthemum cherry" and the soft pink blossoms, with their double rows of slightly pointed petals, do indeed resemble some varieties of chrysanthemum. They come out in force in April and May, while the young leaves are still small and richly coloured, so that all you can see from a distance is a low dome of flowers that trail right down to the ground. In autumn, the leaves turn into a warm muddle of purple-red and orange. Kiku Shidare Zakura is ideal for the centre-piece of a lawn and looks superb near a pond - the best example that we have seen was planted directly above the pond's artificial waterfall, so that the stream of water emerged from the hanging branches. Children love playing under the canopy when it is in flower and we suggest that you treat yourself on a bright spring day by taking a blanket outside, spreading it underneath your tree, lying down and gazing up at the sky through a roof of cherry blossom.
Prunus Kiku Shidare Zakura: Planting, Pruning and Caring for Your Trees:
While soil pH is not really an issue for your cherry trees, they do need a really rich, well drained soil if they are going to flower well for you. If your soil is on the poor side, it is worth digging in lots of well rotted manure and compost into the spot where you intend to plant your trees well in advance of planting - before the soil starts to get cold in late autumn, at least. This will give worms and other creatures time to move the good stuff around a bit so that when your tree's roots spread out, they will find the nutrients they need. It is a similar story with sunlight - Cheal's Weeping Cherry tree will survive just fine in a shady spot but the blooms will be disappointing. Important Note on Pruning Kiku Shidare Zakura: Unlike most trees, which should be pruned in winter when the are dormant, flowering cherry trees should always be cut back in mid-summer to avoid the risk of fungal infection. The only pruning that you need to carry out will be to shorten the lowest branches so that they don't trail on the ground. At its full height, your tree will reach a modest 4 metres, 12 feet.
Click on the links if you would like to see more flowering cherry trees
If you are unclear about the way standard trees are sized, take a look at our Guide to Standard Tree Sizing or you can go back to our main standard trees page.
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