Flowering Cherry 'Kiku-Shidare-Zakura'

Where to Plant
Choose a sunny position with moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Allow enough room for the arching, weeping branches to develop naturally as the tree matures. Avoid sites that remain waterlogged, as flowering cherries need good drainage.

Planting Your Bare-Root Tree
Plant while the tree is dormant, avoiding periods when the ground is frozen or waterlogged. Unpack the tree promptly 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.

Look for the soil mark on the stem showing the level at which 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 when planting to keep it stable while the roots establish. Position the stake so it supports the tree without rubbing against the stem, secure with a suitable tree tie and check the tie regularly. Once the tree is firmly established and able to support itself, the stake can be removed.

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

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 trunk. If growth needs a boost, apply a balanced tree and shrub fertiliser in spring according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Pruning
Very little routine pruning is required. Allow the branches to develop their naturally weeping shape and remove only dead, damaged, diseased or badly positioned growth where necessary. If pruning is required, carry it out after flowering during the growing season rather than in winter, to reduce the risk of silver leaf disease.

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

Small Gardens
With its manageable size and cascading shape, 'Kiku-Shidare-Zakura' is a great way to bring the drama of a weeping flowering cherry into a smaller garden. Give it enough space for the branches to develop and it will create a fantastic spring focal point.

Make It a Feature
This is a tree worth giving centre stage. Plant it in a lawn, an open border or somewhere it can be seen from the house, allowing the long, arching branches to develop their characteristic weeping shape.

Patios & Large Pots
'Kiku-Shidare-Zakura' can also be grown in a substantial patio container. Choose a large pot with good drainage and keep a particularly close eye on watering during warm, dry weather. Container-grown trees will also benefit from regular feeding during the growing season.

Cottage-Garden Planting
Underplant with spring bulbs such as daffodils, tulips and muscari, or use hellebores and other early-flowering perennials to create layers of colour beneath the cascading pink blossom.

City & Courtyard Gardens
Its manageable proportions make this weeping cherry useful for urban gardens too. Specialist growers also report good pollution tolerance, adding to its suitability for city planting.

Top Tip:
Avoid crowding the tree with large shrubs. Leaving some open space around it will show off the beautiful weeping shape and allow the blossom-covered branches to become the focal point.

Spring Blossom
Clusters of fully double pink flowers cover the arching, weeping branches in spring, creating the tree's spectacular cascading display. Bronze-tinted young foliage emerges around the flowering period, adding another layer of colour.

Summer
The young bronze foliage matures to glossy green, clothing the weeping branches through summer. Keep newly planted trees well watered during prolonged dry spells while their roots establish.

Autumn
As temperatures fall, the foliage can develop bronze, orange and yellow tones before dropping, adding another change of colour later in the year.

Winter
'Kiku-Shidare-Zakura' is deciduous, so it will naturally lose its leaves and remain dormant through winter. This is also the ideal period for planting your bare-root tree, provided the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged.

Top Tip:
Let the branches develop their naturally cascading shape rather than routinely cutting them back. If pruning is necessary, carry it out during the growing season after flowering.

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.