Few trees can boast combine elegance and tradition as impressively as the ornamental cherry tree (Prunus serrulatanative to Japan, Korea and China).

This attractive tree belongs to the Rosaceae family and has been revered in Japan for centuries, where it stars in the famous Hanami, the cherry blossom festival. In Japan it is known as Sakuraa word that refers to both the flower and the tree.

A beautiful and eternal tree

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There are many subvarieties of ornamental cherry trees that differ in size, shape, color and duration of life. flowering, which usually occurs from the end of March coinciding with the arrival of spring.

Flowers, full of symbolism, are usually colored pink or white and can be single or double.

The ornamental cherry leaves They are also impressive. When flowering ends, the density of leaves increases with its light green, bronze or violet colors that provide great shade in summer. In autumn they turn yellow to deep red.

Regarding height, The most popular ornamental cherry tree in Japan is the kanzanwhose height ranges from 5 to 8 meters high, with a very wide crown. Lives about 40 years. Other varieties can reach up to 22 m in height and can live for more than a thousand years!

Planting ornamental cherry trees

ornamental cherry trees They are planted between autumn and spring. Some tips that you can keep in mind when planting them are:

• He hole It should be the same depth as the root ball and twice the width.
• Enrich the soil sanding with compost helps the plant get off to a good start.
• To develop all their splendor, ornamental cherry trees They need a sunny place.
• These small trees do not demand much of the soil, but prefer the humus-rich, slightly clayey, deep soils. They do not tolerate waterlogging.

Around it you can plant species such as heucheras, bergenias, tulips, crocuses, daffodils and geraniums.

You can also plant ornamental cherry trees on balconies and terracesdwarf forms such as PrunusNipponica ‘Brilliant’ or Prunus kurilensis’Ruby’ reach a maximum height of two meters and also thrive in pots.

How to care for your Japanese cherry tree

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Caring for ornamental cherry trees It’s pretty simple. If you follow the following instructions there is nothing that can go wrong.

1. Irrigation

Newly planted ornamental cherry trees need a regular water supply, especially during prolonged hot periods.

Even established trees benefit from additional watering during dry periods. A Mulch layer helps retain moisture from the soil and thus protects against rapid drying.

2. fertilization

ornamental cherry trees generally do not require fertilization. However, adding compost in spring can promote growth.

3. Pruning

During the first years, the ornamental cherry trees They should not be pruned, if possible. Subsequently, it is important to perform regular cherry tree pruning to maintain the health, shape and beauty of the plants.

The best time to prune is immediately after flowering. Dead, diseased or damaged branches and those that cross, rub against each other or disturb the harmonious effect of the tree crown should be removed with sharp pruning shears or a tree saw.

4. reproduction

ornamental cherry trees They are mainly propagated by grafting to preserve the characteristics of the mother plant.

Alternatively, propagation is also possible by cuttings, which are cut in summer, They are placed in the soil and kept moist until they form roots.

5. transplant

Ornamental cherry trees grown in pots should be transplanted into a larger pot at the latest when the soil is completely full of roots.

6. toxicity

Ornamental cherries are not toxic, but they are bitter and acidic, so They are not edible.

Diseases and pests

In soils that are too moist, the ornamental cherry tree can be attacked by the monilia. Diseased branches should be cut back to healthy wood and discarded.

The «bullet hole» disease, which causes small holey spots on the leaves, also occurs occasionally.

Affected plant parts should be removed and discarded. Another common pest is the small winter moth.