Weeping Pink Cherry

Weeping Pink Cherry (Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula Rosea') is a small deciduous feature tree of about 4m tall and 3m wide, with branches that arch out and hang almost to the ground. In late winter and early spring the bare stems are covered in soft pink blossom before a single leaf appears. It is sold as a grafted standard, so the weeping frame is there from the day you plant it.

Why you'll love it

• Blossom before the leaves. Pink flowers cover the bare branches for two to three weeks, at the end of winter when little else is out.
• A shape that works bare. The cascading frame carries the winter garden on its own, which few small trees manage.
• Roots that stay out of trouble. The root system is non-invasive, so it can sit near paving, a pool surround or a boundary fence.
• Autumn colour on the way out. The foliage turns yellow and apricot before it drops, giving a second season of interest.

Where it works best

Feature planting. One tree on a lawn, beside a path or over a seat is the classic use. The habit needs air around it, so resist crowding it with shrubs.

Small gardens and courtyards. Allow 3m of clear width and it sits comfortably in a front garden or walled courtyard.

Pots and containers. A pot 600mm or wider with real drainage suits it, and container growing naturally holds it a little under 4m.

Growing Weeping Pink Cherry in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun in an open position. This is a cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean tree that needs winter chill to flower properly, so Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, the tablelands and cooler Sydney gardens all suit it. Frost is not a problem, and it stands up to wind better than its delicate look suggests.

Soil. Well drained soil, neutral to slightly acidic, improved with compost at planting. Wet feet are the quickest way to lose one, so mound the planting position on clay and keep 75mm of mulch clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first two summers, then weekly in dry spells. A complete slow release fertiliser as the buds swell in late winter is all it needs.

Pruning. Very little, and only in dry weather straight after flowering, since wet cuts invite canker. Remove any shoots on the trunk below the graft union: those come from the rootstock and will not weep.

What to expect when it arrives

We grow it in three sizes: 400mm, 500mm and 45L. All are grafted standards already carrying their trunk height and a formed head, so the difference between sizes is fullness rather than shape. The 45L gives presence immediately.

Ordered in winter it arrives bare stemmed, which looks alarming and is entirely normal: leaves and flowers follow the season, not the delivery. Expect it to settle for a year, then put on 20cm to 40cm a season. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the ornamental tree range
• Trees with non-invasive roots
• Designing a Japanese inspired garden
• More plants for small gardens

Common questions

Will it flower in Brisbane or the subtropics?

Poorly, if at all. Blossom depends on accumulated winter cold, so warm coastal gardens get thin, scattered flowering and are better served by another flowering tree.

Does it get taller after planting?

Only a little. The trunk height is set by the graft, so the tree thickens its head rather than climbing much past 4m. That predictability is why it suits small gardens.

Can I grow it in a pot long term?

Yes. Water consistently through summer, refresh the top of the mix each spring, and root prune every four years or so.

Does it fruit?

No usable fruit. This is an ornamental flowering cherry, so any fruit set is tiny and left to the birds.