Prunus serrulata (Japanese Flowering Cherry)

Garden Design with Prunus serrulata

Designing a garden with Japanese Flowering Cherry trees can create a breathtaking landscape. Here are some ideas:

• Stand-Alone Specimens: These trees have a striking natural form and vibrant color, making them perfect stand-alone specimens. Their spring bloom can serve as a garden’s focal point.
• Garden Borders: Because of their moderate size, they can be planted as part of a garden border or along a walkway where their flowering beauty can be appreciated up close.
• Orchard Style: Plant several Japanese Flowering Cherries in a meadow or on a hillside in an orchard style for an impressive spring display when all the trees bloom together.
• Japanese Garden: They can be used as central elements in a Japanese style garden, complemented with other Asian plants such as Bamboo, Japanese Maples, Azaleas, and ferns. You can add a Koi pond, rock arrangements, and gravel paths for a complete Japanese aesthetic.
• Evening Garden: The pale blossoms of Japanese Flowering Cherries can look magical under the moonlight. Consider an evening garden, with white-flowering plants and subtle lighting to accentuate the blooms.

Here are some good companion plants:

• Spring Bulbs: Early bloomers like Daffodils, Tulips, and Crocuses can be planted around the base of the tree for a burst of color before the tree fully leafs out.
• Azaleas and Rhododendrons: These spring-flowering shrubs enjoy similar growing conditions and can provide an excellent color contrast.
• Hostas: These shade-tolerant perennials can be planted beneath the canopy of the tree, providing beautiful foliage contrast and filling in the understory.
• Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum): With their delicate foliage and beautiful fall color, Japanese Maples make an excellent contrasting companion.
• Ferns: In a shaded garden, ferns can provide a lush, green understory beneath the tree.
• Ornamental Grasses: The vertical form and movement of ornamental grasses can provide an interesting contrast to the tree’s form.
• Hydrangeas: Their large flower heads and preference for similar growing conditions make them a good companion.
• Japanese Anemones: Blooming in late summer to fall, they provide a later source of color in the garden.

Remember to consider the needs of each plant when planning your garden, ensuring they all have the space, light, and soil conditions they need to thrive.

Growing Japanese Flowering Cherry

Flowering cherry trees do well in most gardens, and their care requirements are minimal. There are a few things to bear in mind, though, before purchasing a flowering cherry tree:

• Location: Choose a location with full sun to partial shade. They require at least 6 hours of sunlight daily to produce the best bloom and growth. Therefore it is important to plant your tree in a spot that is not too shady or crowded.
• Soil: These trees prefer relatively fertile, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH. Amend heavy clay or sandy soils with compost or other organic matter to improve fertility and drainage.
• Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball. Place the tree in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill with soil and firm gently. Ensure the mature height and spread of the tree you wish to purchase will fit your intended area. The best time to plant is in early spring, after the danger of frost has passed, or in early fall, allowing plenty of time for roots to establish before the first freeze.
• Watering: Water deeply and thoroughly after planting. Afterward, maintain consistent moisture, particularly in dry periods, but be careful not to overwater.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the tree after planting.
• Pruning: Flowering cherries grow best if left alone, so it is best to avoid pruning aside from removing dead, diseased, or damaged growth. If you need to shape your tree, do so after flowering in early summer because there are fewer diseases, and you won’t remove the flower buds.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring, before the onset of new growth.
• Pests and Diseases: Flowering cherries are susceptible to insect and fungal disease problems. Regular pruning to thin out branches and allow for better air and light circulation will help keep your tree healthy. Watch for caterpillars, leaf-mining moths, bullfinches, silver leaf, bacterial canker, and blossom wilt.
• Winter Care: In colder regions, consider wrapping young trees or applying a layer of mulch around the base to protect from frost.

Remember, like all trees, the Japanese Flowering Cherry requires patience. It may take a few years for your tree to establish and start producing the showy blooms it’s known for. Be patient and provide the care it needs, and you will be rewarded with a stunning display each spring.