Introduction:
Weeping Higan Cherry grows 20 to 30 feet tall
and spreads 15 to 25 feet in a graceful weeping habit. Leaves stay glossy green throughout the
summer and then turn a vivid
yellow in the fall. Drooping, leafless branches add beauty to
the landscape in winter. A weeping cherry in full bloom in spring is delightful to see.
The light pink (almost white), one-inch-diameter
flowers cover the branches before the leaves emerge. These flowers fall rapidly after bloom to give the appearance of fresh snow.
Specifics:
Scientific name: Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’
Pronunciation: PROO-nus sub-her-TELL-uh
Common name: Weeping Higan Cherry
Family: Rosaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 5 through 8
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: shade tree; specimen; no proven urban tolerance Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range
Pronunciation: PROO-nus sub-her-TELL-uh
Common name: Weeping Higan Cherry
Family: Rosaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 5 through 8
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: shade tree; specimen; no proven urban tolerance Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range
Cultivars:
Other Higan Cherry cultivars are: ‘Autumnalis’ -
flowering occurs in the fall and spring in warmer
climates, in colder regions it will bloom in the spring,
flowers semi-double, pink; ‘Yae-shidare-higan’ -
weeping branches, flowers double, pink, and longerlasting
than ‘Pendula’.
Comments from Experts:
Dr. Mike Dirr from ]Hardy Trees and Shrubs[/i: "...this is one of the longest lived flowering cherries. For the gardener who wants one cherry that will provide many years of enjoyment, this tree and its cultivars are possibly the best choices."
Description:
Height: 20 to 30 feet
Spread: 15 to 25 feet
Crown uniformity: irregular outline or silhouette
Crown shape: weeping
Crown density: moderate
Growth rate: fast
Texture: fine
Spread: 15 to 25 feet
Crown uniformity: irregular outline or silhouette
Crown shape: weeping
Crown density: moderate
Growth rate: fast
Texture: fine
Trunk and Branches:
Trunk/bark/branches: droop as the tree grows, and
will require pruning for vehicular or pedestrian
clearance beneath the canopy; not particularly showy;
should be grown with a single leader; no thorns
Pruning requirement: requires pruning to develop
strong structure
Breakage: resistant
Current year twig color: brown
Current year twig thickness: thin
Breakage: resistant
Current year twig color: brown
Current year twig thickness: thin
Foliage:
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: serrate
Leaf shape: oblong; ovate
Leaf venation: banchidodrome; pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: serrate
Leaf shape: oblong; ovate
Leaf venation: banchidodrome; pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Culture:
Light requirement: tree grows in full sun
Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; acidic; well-drained
Drought tolerance: moderate
Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; acidic; well-drained
Drought tolerance: moderate
In Depth:
Weeping Higan Cherry makes a striking specimen
in a large yard, park or commercial landscape. Locate
it to bring attention to an area, since its form is
attractive all year long. Be prepared to provide more
maintenance dollars to care for this beautiful tree than
others. One of the premier weeping trees for
American gardens, Weeping Cherry has a place in any
large-scale landscape as a specimen to accent a lawn.
It is best to maintain the tree with mulch out to the edge of the canopy and with branches almost touching the ground. Even a light breeze will sway the thin, drooping branches. Very attractive close to water and often used this way.
Nurseries often graft Weeping Cherry onto a fastgrowing rootstock. The rootstock cherry is trained to one straight trunk and small Weeping Cherry branches are grafted to the trunk, four to six feet from the ground.
It has a fairly rapid growth rate and prefers an open, sunny location sheltered from wind. The tree grows in almost any soil and transplants easily when young. Grows best without competition from turf grass. Clay soil is suitable as adequate moisture helps keep stress to a minimum. Irrigation is a must in sandy soil.
It is best to maintain the tree with mulch out to the edge of the canopy and with branches almost touching the ground. Even a light breeze will sway the thin, drooping branches. Very attractive close to water and often used this way.
Nurseries often graft Weeping Cherry onto a fastgrowing rootstock. The rootstock cherry is trained to one straight trunk and small Weeping Cherry branches are grafted to the trunk, four to six feet from the ground.
It has a fairly rapid growth rate and prefers an open, sunny location sheltered from wind. The tree grows in almost any soil and transplants easily when young. Grows best without competition from turf grass. Clay soil is suitable as adequate moisture helps keep stress to a minimum. Irrigation is a must in sandy soil.
