Cherry Blossoms

The bare skeleton like branches of the flowering cherry bursting into life with delightfully coloured blossoms is symbolic of the change in seasons from winter to spring. This drastic transformation really represents the return of life after the cold and lifeless winter. The Japanese celebrate this event annually in a festival which is extremely important to the Japanese people. Graham takes a tour there each year to experience this beautiful phenomenom of the plant kingdom. The nurseries are full of dormant flowering cherries right now, why not plant one now and enjoy the blossoms in spring.

Care

Flowering cherries are often available bare rooted, just like deciduous fruit trees. These should be treated just like bare rooted fruit trees, planted in winter and pruned after planting. Select a position with well drained soil and full to part shade, you may also chose to grow one in a pot. Regular watering will be required for a few months after planting until it is established. A general purpose slow release fertiliser used in conjunction with a liquid fertiliser such as Thrive or Harvest is recommended. Pruning can be done in winter to shape the tree, but any fast growing shoots can be removed later in the year if they threaten to affect the shape of the plant.

Some Varieties

'Amanogawa' - 5m in Height, large, semi-double soft pink flowers.

'Kojo-no-mai' - 1.5m in Height, rosy red buds open to single white flowers.

'Okame´- 4m high, small pink flowers.

'Pink Perfection' - 4m, large rosy pink flowers.

'J. H. Veith' - 5m high, Double pink 2.5cm flowers.

'Magnifica' - 3m high, Double, crimson-red flowers.