Prunus x yedoensis ‘Shidare-Yoshino’ (Yoshino Cherry)

Prunus x yedoensis ‘Shidare-Yoshino’ (Yoshino Cherry) is a deciduous tree with a dramatic and graceful weeping habit. Blooming in early spring, its pendulous bare branches get smothered with generous clusters of brilliant white blossoms. As the flowers wane, the oval-shaped, dark green leaves emerge and create a fresh summer canopy. In fall, they turn burnished shades of bronze and gold before shedding to the ground. ‘Shidare-yoshino’ is a cultivar of Yoshino cherries, a hybrid dating back to the late 1800s and thought to be the result of hybridizing Prunus speciosa with the weeping form of Prunus subhirtella v. pendula. This fine ornamental tree grows fairly quickly to become a respectable specimen.

• Typically reaches 20-25 ft. in height (6-8 m) and 20-30 ft. in spread (6-9 m).
• Performs best in full sun in moist, relatively fertile, well-drained soils. This cherry tree is not tolerant of heavy clay soils with poor drainage.
• Perfect choice as a single specimen plant, mixed borders, lawns.
• Prune in midsummer if silver leaf is a problem
• Watch for caterpillars, leaf-mining moths, bullfinches, silver leaf, bacterial canker, and blossom wilt.
• Propagate by budding or grafting, although softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat can be successful.