Flowering Cherry 'Amanogawa'

Where to Plant
Choose a sunny position with moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Allow enough room for the tree to develop to its mature height and spread, bearing in mind that 'Amanogawa' grows tall but remains relatively narrow. Avoid sites that regularly become waterlogged.

Planting Your Bare-Root Tree
Plant while the tree is dormant, avoiding periods when the ground is frozen or waterlogged. Unpack the tree as soon as it arrives and soak the roots in a bucket of water for around 30 minutes before planting. Dig a hole wide enough for the roots to spread out naturally without bending or crowding them.

Before planting, look for the soil mark on the stem left from where the tree was previously growing. Position the tree so this mark is level with the surrounding soil, with the roots below ground and the graft union remaining above soil level. Spread the roots naturally, backfill with the excavated soil, gently firm and water thoroughly.

Staking
Stake the tree if needed to prevent the root system moving while it establishes. Position the stake so that it supports the tree without rubbing against the stems or branches, and check the tie regularly as the tree grows.

Watering
Water regularly throughout the first growing season, particularly during warm or dry weather. Newly planted trees need consistent moisture while their roots establish, but avoid keeping the ground permanently wet or waterlogged. Continue to keep an eye on watering during prolonged dry spells over the first few years.

Feeding & Mulching
Apply a layer of well-rotted garden compost or organic mulch around the base in spring to help conserve moisture and suppress weeds, keeping it clear of the stems. If growth needs a boost, apply a balanced tree and shrub fertiliser in spring according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Pruning
Very little pruning should be needed. Allow the tree to develop its naturally narrow, upright shape and remove only dead, damaged, diseased or badly positioned branches where necessary. Flowering cherries are susceptible to silver leaf disease, so any pruning is best carried out in summer when the tree is in active growth rather than during winter.

Pests & Problems
Flowering cherries can occasionally be affected by aphids, caterpillars, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and silver leaf. Good growing conditions, free-draining soil and avoiding unnecessary pruning will help keep the tree healthy.

Smaller Gardens
The narrow, fastigiate habit makes 'Amanogawa' particularly useful where you want the height and blossom of a flowering cherry without a broad-spreading canopy. It makes a beautiful feature tree for smaller gardens and tighter spaces.

Borders & Lawns
Plant as a focal point within a lawn or towards the back of a border, where its upright shape can rise above lower planting. Its low-branched form means blossom and foliage develop from close to ground level rather than on top of a long clear trunk.

Paths & Entrances
The slender habit works particularly well alongside a path or entrance where there isn't room for a wide-spreading tree. If you have more space, several planted at intervals can create an impressive avenue of spring blossom.

Cottage-Garden Planting
The pale pink blossom sits beautifully among informal cottage-garden planting. Daffodils, crocuses, muscari and tulips can bring colour around ground level as the blossom opens above, while hellebores and hardy geraniums provide longer-lasting interest around the base.

Top Tip:
Avoid planting large, dense shrubs too close to the tree. Its slender outline is one of its best features, so give it enough room to be seen.

Spring Blossom
Pale pink, semi-double flowers cover the upright branches in late spring. The blossom is softly scented and provides nectar and pollen for visiting pollinators.

Summer
Once flowering has finished, green foliage carries the display through summer. Keep newly planted trees well watered during prolonged dry spells, particularly during their first few years while the root system is establishing.

Autumn Colour
As temperatures fall, the foliage takes on vibrant shades of orange and red before dropping, giving 'Amanogawa' another colourful display later in the year.

Winter
'Amanogawa' is deciduous, so it will naturally lose its leaves and remain dormant over winter. This is also the ideal time to plant bare-root trees, provided the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged.

Top Tip:
Don't be tempted to prune a flowering cherry during winter simply because the branches are easier to see. If pruning is necessary, wait until summer when the tree is actively growing to reduce the risk of silver leaf disease.

Potted Trees
Potted trees arrive growing in a container and can generally be planted throughout the year, provided the ground isn't frozen, waterlogged or exceptionally dry. If you can't plant immediately, keep the tree outdoors in a sheltered position and water the compost as needed.

Bare-Root Trees
Your bare-root tree will arrive dormant, without a pot or compost around its roots, ready for planting. It will have no leaves at this stage, which is completely normal – once temperatures rise in spring, it will naturally come back into active growth. Unpack your tree promptly, keep the roots moist and plant as soon as possible.

What Does Grafted Mean?
Many ornamental trees are grafted, which means the chosen variety is joined to a compatible rootstock so the two grow together as one tree. The rootstock helps influence characteristics such as vigour and eventual size. You may notice a slightly raised area where the two have been joined – this is the graft union and is completely normal.

If You Can't Plant Straight Away
If planting is delayed, keep bare roots cool, moist and protected. For more than a short delay, temporarily heel the roots into moist soil in a sheltered position until conditions are suitable for planting.

After Planting
Newly planted trees need regular watering while they establish, particularly during dry weather in their first growing season. A spring mulch can help conserve moisture and suppress weeds, but always leave a clear gap around the trunk or stems.