Cherry blossoms (Prunus serrulata) have long been revered as a springtime symbol of renewal and rebirth. The Sakura cherry blossom tree, often associated with Japanese art and culture, is a breathtaking sight that can be found in gardens, landscapes, parks, and borders all over the world. According to China Daily, the cherry blossom, Japan’s national flower, originated in China’s Himalayan territory hundreds of years ago and was first brought to the country during the Tang dynasty (618–907). In 1912, the first cherry blossom trees were brought to the United States. Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo donated approximately 3,000 cherry blossom trees to Washington D.C. to symbolize the close relationship between Japan and the United States.
What’s the point of planting cherry blossom trees? The springtime garden is incomplete without the presence of one or more of these flowering trees. It is common for wild cherry blossoms and some cultivated varieties to have five petals, but the late-blooming yaezakura has ten or more petals. The cherry blossom’s flowers can be found in a variety of pink and white hues, but they don’t usually produce fruit. They are beautiful and ornamental, with canopies ranging from 15 to 30 feet wide and a lifespan of up to 40 years.
Cherry blossom gardening tips and tricks
Before planting a cherry blossom tree, it’s important to know where you live and what USDA zone you fall into before you get started. According to The Tree Center, cherry blossoms have adapted to zones 5 to 8 in the United States because of the hundreds of varieties that are available. Cherry blossoms thrive in soil that is rich and well-drained. To achieve this, place your tree on a higher ground level rather than a lower one. With its estimated growth size and planting conditions, your Sakura will gracefully fill a space in any landscape.
In the off-season, however, if you don’t want your tree to be as visible, plant it to the side of your lawn. For a portion of the year each year, cherry blossoms are deciduous plants. The flowering season lasts for about a month at a time, but the flower itself is quite short-lived (up to a week). Include it with other flowering trees or shrubs for a more diverse planting. This will help you achieve a more even distribution of blooms in your garden by balancing the appearance of plants that bloom earlier and later. Make sure it gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day, wherever you decide to put it. It is possible to grow them in partial shade, but they thrive in direct sunlight.
Grow cherry blossoms
Growing and maintaining cherry blossom trees is relatively low-maintenance. According to The Tree Center, this is because your cherry blossom tree can thrive in a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, or clay. If you want to grow it, make sure the soil drains well because it is susceptible to root rot and does not like to be wet. When planting, keep other plants, trees, and foliage at least 10 to 20 feet away, as well as any nearby buildings or structures. Because of its need for direct sunlight, the flowering tree is moderately drought-resistant. Partial shade can be tolerated if location options are limited.
When is the best time to plant cherry blossom trees? After the last frost, plant your tree to ensure its long-term viability. Dig a hole twice as wide as the tree’s root ball or container, then double the depth of the first hole you dug out of the ground. Make sure that the crown of its roots is level with the surface of the soil after planting it. Adding a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant could help it retain water (3 to 4 inches). This will protect your cherry blossoms from weeds and keep them happy when the weather isn’t cooperating. You can add organic matter like compost or peat to the soil if it’s mainly clay-based. You may want to secure it with a tree stake while it’s still in the process of establishing itself.
What to do with cherry blossoms
Only light upkeep is required after the cherry blossom tree has been established, but careful attention to the tree’s watering needs is essential. During the first week after planting, water thoroughly every other day to help the plant establish a strong root system. Soak it completely two to three times in the second week For the rest of its first season, Gardening Know How recommends that you give it a thorough watering once a week. Cherry blossoms can then benefit from rainwater.
This is a fruitful time to prune your cherry blossom tree. Pruning during the dry, dormant season can help you determine the tree’s expected shape and size; you can begin after its first blooms appear. Remove any dead, rotted, or broken limbs from the tree. Pruning saws and sharp shears can be used, if they are available. The original cut’s bark should not be damaged by clipping back to the branch collar. Pruning too much after a few years will encourage more growth than is necessary, according to Green Garden Guy. Composting is an option, too. The soil’s fertility and the tree’s maturity both play a role in how much fertilizer you should use on your ornamental cherry tree. SF Gate recommends getting a soil test if you suspect a nutrient deficiency in your garden. This will help determine if any additional nutrients are required. Fertilize with a low-nitrogen fertilizer for slow growth. Overdosing on nitrogen can harm the tree’s roots, causing it to grow greens instead of flowers.
Varieties of cherry blossoms
It is the time of year when a variety of cherry blossom trees bloom. Prunus spp., which includes almonds, apricots, cherries, peaches, and plums, is the larger genus group. It is common in the United States to see ornamental “flowering cherries,” but these trees rarely bear fruit. Cherry blossom trees come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
- Japanese cherry cultivar Somei Yoshino, or “Yoshino Cherry,” is the most popular and widely planted in Japan. This plant, according to Garden Design, thrives in colder climates (zones to 5 to 8).
- It is common to see both the Kanzan (Prunus serrulata) and the Yoshino (Prunus avium) Japanese cherry cultivars in Washington, DC. It’s short-lived (15 to 25 years), but it produces large, deep pink blooms.
- The delicate pink/white flowers of the Yamazakura (Prunus jamasakura), also known as the Mountain Blossom, grow naturally in the wild and have five petals.
- Pu’erh cherry (Prunus serrulata) – The name “weeping chrysanthemum cherry” translates from Japanese (via Gardenia). In the middle to late spring, it puts out a lovely display of pink blooms.
- Double Blossom, or Yaezakura (Prunus serrulata), is a late bloomer with two layers of petals, ranging from 10 to 50. There is a wide range of hues, from white to bright pink. Flowers two to four weeks after the majority of five-petaled classes.
Yes, cherry blossoms can cause allergic reactions.
Toward the end of March and the beginning of April, you’ll begin to see the cherry blossoms bloom. However, are they harmful to eat? The answer is clear for dogs. According to Dog of the Day’s horticultural experts, the tree is toxic to dogs in every way possible. The cyanogenic glycosides in Prunus serrulata are a toxin that prevents oxygen from reaching the cells. Distressed pupils and bright red gums are warning signs of an infection (via Pet Poison Helpline). If this is the case, get them to the vet immediately.
Cats are just as guilty as dogs of this. cyanide poisoning from other parts of the tree can be present 15 to 20 minutes after consumption of the cherries, even if the cherries themselves are fine. The same toxicity concerns apply to humans. Other than mochi cakes and cookies, humans can enjoy a variety of sweet, tea- and cocktail-based treats based on the delicate flavor of the Japanese cherry blossom. According to Country Living, flowering cherry blossom trees are primarily planted for their aesthetic appeal rather than their ability to produce actual cherries. Even if some of these trees do bear edible cherries, they are usually grown for their beauty rather than their flavor.
Repotting cherry blossoms
The use of cherry blossoms as houseplants is rare, but anything is possible. A balcony or terrace would be an ideal location for it if grown in a pot. Consider a smaller bonsai or dwarf variety if you’re looking to go any deeper into the tree. What is the best time to repot? If it’s not looking as healthy as it did at the beginning, or the roots are clearly growing out of the bottom of the pot, those are signs that it’s ready. Repotting in the spring, before the plant has fully bloomed, is recommended by Spruce. Give your tree time to develop a strong root system now rather than later. It’s possible that doing it in the winter will help keep the roots healthy. Make sure to water the plant a few days before transplanting it.
Double the original pot’s volume and place it in a deep, well-draining container. Remove the tree’s base by gently loosening the soil around it. Add soil and organic compost to the bottom of the pot if you have it. For the first few weeks, just keep watering it. As much of the root ball as possible should be included in the final product. Raking back a small amount of soil (no more than a quarter of the tree’s root mass) is recommended by Bonsai Boy. Repotting your tree will give it a fresh lease on life and a firm foundation on which to grow.
Maintaining the health of your cherry blossoms
The best time of year for pruning is in the winter, but too much trimming can be harmful if done in the summer. Many Prunus trees and shrubs like cherry blossoms can be infected by tree diseases like silver leaf fungus, according to LawnStarter. Cherry blossom trees are especially vulnerable to this problem due to over-pruning. Look for a silvery or gray sheen on the leaves. Infected branches and areas should be removed as soon as possible. To remove the fungus completely, cut the tree back at least 4 inches below the fungus’s origin. Black knot fungus is a possible ailment for cherry blossoms. A black gall swelling or a knotty appearance is the result of this condition. Wind and rain are the most common culprits when the knots first appear in the spring. Branches and limbs where the knots are visible should be cut away to a depth of 4 inches. Gardening Know How recommends burning the pieces after they’ve been removed in order to prevent the disease from spreading.
The presence of fungi can also lead to other problems like blight, canker, and powdery mildew on the plant. Consider pests and insects that could harm your cherry blossoms as well, and take precautionary measures. Cherry blossom “Kwanzan” is known to be infested by aphids, scales, and spider mites. SF Gate recommends rinsing them down with water and not using any chemicals. Bring in lacewings, wasps, and ladybugs to eat the trespassers you’ve invited in.
