Prunus serrulata Kiku-Shidare-Zakura - Japanese Cherry

Prunus serrulata 'Kiku-shidare-sakura', is a fascinating deciduous small tree with a weeping habit that perhaps embodies better than any other the spirit of the Japanese flowering cherry tree, especially as it ages. In spring, branches covered with pom-pom flowers of a fresh pink gracefully droop to the ground, forming a pink fountain around a massive trunk, creating a magical sight reminiscent of a flowering tree wisteria. In autumn, this floral fountain ignites in yellow-orange, while winter reveals its dark and twisted silhouette of a giant bonsai. This quite spectacular Prunus, however, remains of modest dimensions, well-suited for small gardens.

Prunus serrulata, belonging to the large Rosaceae family, is a small tree with a dense crown and thin bark originating from Asia, specifically Japan, Korea, and China. It is also known as Japanese cherry tree, Hill cherry tree, Japanese flowering cherry, or Oriental cherry tree.

The Japanese cultivar 'Kiku-shidare-sakura' is probably the most well-known and widely planted weeping cherry tree. With fairly rapid growth, this tree reaches between 3 m and 4 m (9.8 ft to 13.1 ft) in height and 3 m (9.8 ft) in width, sometimes much wider depending on how it is trained. Flowering takes place from April to May depending on the region, usually before the leaves appear, but sometimes at the same time as the young leaves tinged with coppery bronze emerge. Its numerous deep pink buds open into large double flowers, of a fresh and vivid pink, all along the branches. Gathered in small clusters of 3-4, they measure 5 cm to 6 cm (2 in to 2.4 in) in diameter. After flowering, Prunus 'Kiku-shidare-sakura' is adorned with deciduous elliptical leaves 8 cm to 12 cm (3.1 in to 4.7 in) long. After flowering, the branches develop deciduous leaves, elliptical in shape, with dentate edges, measuring 8 cm to 12 cm (3.1 in to 4.7 in) in length. They are medium green in summer and turn red-orange in autumn.

This small tree with a strong personality is perfect as a standalone or at the back of a border, positioned behind perennials or small shrubs with staggered flowering. To adorn its base, one can plant, for example, silver basket, a small creeping clematis (Clematis diversifolia 'Rooguchi') or discreet and charming forget-me-nots that will not overshadow its splendour. One could also imagine planting a small pink clematis to brighten its foliage in summer (Clematis 'Little Mermaid', C. 'Success Cady', C. 'Josephine').