Weeping Yoshino Cherry Prunus × yedoensis 'Shidare-yoshino'
ABOUT
The plant commonly known as the Weeping Yoshino Cherry is a visually striking ornamental tree, primarily admired for its cascading branches that create an elegant, flowing silhouette. In the spring, the tree is adorned with a profusion of white to pale pink flowers that cluster along its drooping limbs. These blossoms emerge before the leaves, creating a breathtaking floral display that blankets the tree. As the flowers fade, the leaves emerge, initially with a reddish tint that matures to a fresh, glossy green. The leaves are ovate with a slightly serrated edge, giving them a soft, textured look. In the fall, the foliage transitions to a warm display of yellows and oranges, adding a new layer of visual interest. The bark of the Weeping Yoshino Cherry is dark and may gradually develop rough textures and fissures over time, contrasting beautifully with the delicate nature of the flowers and leaves.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Weeping Yoshino Cherry, Shidare-Yoshino Cherry, Weeping Yoshino Cherry Tree
Common names
Cerasus × yedoensis 'Shidare-yoshino', Prunus × yedoensis 'Akebono'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Weeping Cherry tree contains cyanogenic glycosides, particularly in its seeds, leaves, and stems. If ingested in large enough quantities, these compounds can be toxic to humans, potentially causing symptoms such as headache, dizziness, confusion, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, convulsions, coma, and even death due to cyanide poisoning. It is generally advised to avoid ingesting any parts of the plant.
To pets
The Weeping Cherry tree is also toxic to pets due to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides in its seeds, leaves, and stems. Pets that ingest parts of the plant can experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, salivation, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and lethargy. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to seizures, coma, and death from cyanide poisoning. Pet owners should prevent animals from chewing on or consuming any part of this tree.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
20 feet [6 meters]
Spread
25 feet [7.6 meters]
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Japan
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Prunus × yedoensis 'Shidare-yoshino', commonly known as the Weeping Yoshino Cherry, is known for its beautiful floral displays in spring, which provide a spectacular visual spectacle.
- Landscape Enhancement: This ornamental cherry tree is often used for landscape design, providing a focal point in gardens, parks, and along streets due to its weeping form and cascading branches.
- Shade Provider: Despite its relatively modest size, the Weeping Yoshino Cherry can offer a pleasant shade in garden settings, creating comfortable outdoor spaces.
- Habitat for Wildlife: The flowers of the Weeping Yoshino Cherry provide an early-season food source for pollinators such as bees, while the tree itself can offer nesting sites for birds.
- Seasonal Interest: With changing seasons, the Weeping Yoshino Cherry offers varied interest; in spring with blossoms, in summer with green foliage, in fall with color changes, and in winter with a distinctive branch structure.
- Cultural Significance: The Weeping Yoshino Cherry has cultural importance, especially in Japan, and is celebrated in cherry blossom viewings, symbolizing the transient nature of life in Japanese culture.
- Urban Tolerance: This variety of cherry tree exhibits a good tolerance to urban conditions, dealing well with pollution and compacted soils, making it suitable for city planting.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Traditional Craft Material: The wood of the Yoshino cherry is sometimes used in Japan for creating intricate wooden crafts, including traditional dolls known as "Kokeshi" and small furniture pieces.
- Educational Tool: Blossoming branches of the Yoshino cherry can be used to teach students about plant biology and the life cycle of flowers in botany classes.
- Cultural Festivities: The flowers are an essential part of cherry blossom festivals in Japan and around the world, where they are celebrated for their beauty and transient nature.
- Photography Backdrops: Yoshino cherry trees create picturesque scenes that are sought after by photographers and are a popular backdrop for portraits, weddings, and scenic photography.
- Landscape Design: Landscape architects use these trees to create visually appealing designs that incorporate their seasonal changes in both public and private gardens.
- Artistic Inspiration: The blossoms inspire artists and poets, serving as a symbol of spring and the inspiration for numerous paintings, poems, and other artworks.
- Bonsai Specimens: The Yoshino cherry can be carefully pruned and trained to create bonsai trees, which are appreciated for their beauty and the skill required to cultivate them.
- Culinary Decorations: Although not a common use, the flowers can be used as edible decorations for special dishes and desserts in high-end culinary presentations.
- Theme for Goods: The imagery of this cherry blossom is printed on various goods, including clothing, stationery, and household items.
- Urban Planning: Yoshino cherries are planted along streets and in parks as part of city beautification projects, often to promote a city's image and improve the quality of life for residents.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Weeping Cherry tree is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Weeping Cherry tree is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty: The Weeping Cherry (Prunus × yedoensis 'Shidare-yoshino') is known for its stunning beauty when it blooms, symbolizing the aesthetic pleasures and the transient nature of beauty.
- Transience of Life: With its fleeting blossoms that bloom brilliantly and then swiftly fall, it epitomizes the ephemeral nature of life, reminding us to cherish fleeting moments.
- New Beginnings: The Weeping Cherry's blossoms herald the arrival of spring, making it a symbol of renewal and the fresh start that comes with the season.
- Purity: The pure white of many Weeping Cherry flowers is often associated with purity and innocence.
- Friendship: In Japan, the Weeping Cherry tree is often seen as a symbol of friendship and international relations, especially during the cherry blossom festivals.
WaterThe Weeping Cherry tree should be watered deeply once a week, providing about 1.5 to 2.5 gallons of water for young trees, and 5 gallons for mature trees, depending on weather conditions. Watering should be done slowly to allow the water to penetrate deep into the soil, reaching the root zone without causing runoff. During periods of drought or extreme heat, you may need to water twice a week. It's important to reduce the frequency in cooler months or during times of heavy rainfall, ensuring the soil does not remain saturated, as Weeping Cherry trees do not like 'wet feet.'
LightThe Weeping Cherry prefers full sun exposure for optimal growth and bloom, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. An ideal spot is one that receives unfiltered morning sunlight and some light afternoon shade to protect it from the intense late-day sun, although it can tolerate and still blossom beautifully in a full day of sun.
TemperatureWeeping Cherry trees are hardy and can withstand a wide range of temperatures; they thrive in conditions between 60°F and 75°F, which is ideal for flowering and growth. They can survive winter temperatures down to around -20°F and summer temperatures as high as 85°F, although prolonged exposure to these extremes can be stressful for the tree.
PruningPruning the Weeping Cherry is done to maintain its shape, remove dead or diseased wood, and encourage healthy growth. The best time to prune is in the late winter or early spring before the sap starts to flow. Pruning should be done sparingly and only when necessary, as over-pruning can harm the tree. Remove any branches that rub against each other or that are growing inward to maintain an open, graceful form.
CleaningAs needed
SoilWeeping Cherry Trees require well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. A good soil mix includes loam, organic compost, and a balance of clay and sand for optimal growth and drainage.
RepottingWeeping Cherry Trees don't typically get repotted as they are outdoor trees; instead, it might be necessary to transplant them every 20-25 years if they become root-bound or outgrow their space.
Humidity & MistingThe Weeping Cherry Tree is adaptable to a wide range of humidity levels outdoors and does not require specific humidity conditions for health and flowering.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Weeping Cherry is not suitable for indoor growing; it needs outdoor conditions.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, ensure well-draining soil, and provide ample space.
Hardiness zone
5-8 USDA
Life cycleThe Weeping Yoshino Cherry (Prunus × yedoensis 'Shidare-yoshino') begins its life cycle when the seeds germinate in spring, usually after stratification through a cold winter. Seedlings emerge and grow into juvenile trees, developing a characteristic weeping habit as they mature. Flowering occurs in early spring once the tree is mature enough, typically after a few years, producing beautiful pale pink to white flowers before the leaves fully emerge. After pollination by insects, the tree produces small cherries, which are dispersed by birds and other animals, leading to the propagation of the species. The tree reaches full maturity in several years, living for several decades and undergoing annual cycles of growth, flowering, and senescence. The life of the plant may ultimately end due to environmental stresses, disease, or simply old age, after which the organic matter is recycled into the ecosystem.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
Propogation: The most popular method of propagating the Yoshino cherry tree (Prunus × yedoensis 'Shidare-yoshino') is through grafting, ideally during the late winter or early spring before the sap begins to flow. In this process, a scion, which is a cutting from a young, healthy branch of the Yoshino cherry, is selected. The scion, typically about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) in length, is cut at a diagonal to increase the surface area that will connect to the rootstock. A rootstock, chosen for its vigor and compatibility, is carefully prepared by making a similar slanting cut. The scion is then positioned onto the rootstock so that the cut surfaces match as closely as possible, ensuring good cambial contact. The graft union is bound with grafting tape or a similar material to hold the pieces firmly together while they heal and grow into a single plant. The grafted plant is then properly labeled, watered, and cared for, to encourage the successful growth of the new tree.
