How To Grow And Care For Cherry Blossom Trees

One of the earliest harbingers of spring is the cherry blossom tree, which bursts into pink and white clouds of cotton candy blossoms in March and April. They're celebrated at cherry blossom festivals around the world where people flock to the grasses beneath their branches to marvel at the frothing blooms. There are over 100 varieties of beautiful and stately cherry blossom trees, several of which grow well in the South.

This medium-sized tree grows 15 to 30 feet tall and debuts showy white or pink single, semi-double, or double flowers. In late summer, pea-size fruits make an appearance. Early fall is the best planting time for bare-root flowering cherry trees, while container-grown specimens can be put in the earth during fall or after the last spring frost. The tree grows moderately, between 2 and 4 feet a year.

One warning to keep in mind for pet owners: Seeds, leaves, and stems of cherry blossom trees are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Plant Attributes

Cherry Blossom Tree Care

Ornamental cherry trees are bred more for the lovely blossoms than for the edible fruit. These trees still produce fruit in the summer months, but it's usually so sour that only animals eat it. Most cherry trees that produce edible fruits are too difficult to grow in the South. That's because they need cool temperatures to thrive, and the Southern climes don't reach or stay at the temperatures they require to blossom.

Contrary to popular belief, most cherry blossoms do have a light fragrance. Cherry blossoms bloom in several shades. Many are light pink, while others have darker pink flowers or white flowers, depending on several factors. Some have yellow-green or white-green blooms that turn pink as they age.

The trees grow and establish themselves relatively quickly, but they don't last very long. Their life spans are usually 15 to 25 years long, though in optimal conditions, they have been known to reach 30 to 40 years of age. On the other hand, some (like black cherry trees) can live much longer. Black cherries have been known to reach 250 years old under the right conditions.

Although the blossoms look so delicate, you can actually grow them for yourself, assuming that you place your cherry blossom trees in a location with full sun and well-drained soil. Well-draining soil is key, as cherry blossoms don't like to sit in water and let their roots get soggy. Some gardeners find that sandy or clay-enriched soils can work for cherry blossoms and aid in drainage. However, many gardeners believe that loamy soil is best for growing cherry blossoms because it is rich and well-draining.

Light

Cherry blossom trees grow best in full sun, with at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. Some varieties will tolerate some shade. In areas prone to droughts, be sure to plant the tree in a location where it will get partial shade, and mulch around the base to retain moisture.

Soil

Cherry blossom trees can adapt to a variety of soil types, including sandy and clay options, but they prefer moist, well-drained acidic soil. Mulch around the base of the tree, up to but not touching the trunk, to help it retain moisture without encouraging too much water collection.

Water

Water young trees weekly, increasing to twice weekly during dry weather to help them get established. After the first two seasons, watering every two weeks is sufficient, with more watering during droughts. Long soakings, enough to soak the ground all around the roots, are better for these trees than quick showers.

Temperature and Humidity

Most cherry blossom trees need winters that aren’t too harsh. Cool temperatures of about 45°F are essential for the dormancy period that allows them to blossom in the spring. Warmer temperatures during late winter may bring earlier spring blooms. Humidity doesn’t impact cherry trees and they can tolerate Southern summers. However, they do require consistent moisture and need more frequent watering during hot, dry months.

Fertilizer

Test the soil to see if your tree has any deficiencies that require fertilizer. If modification or enrichment is needed, a slow-release fertilizer specifically designed for cherry or ornamental flowering trees may be applied once every spring.

Types Of Cherry Blossom Trees

There are many different varieties of these beautiful trees. The Yoshino cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) is the dominant selection that surrounds the Washington Tidal Basin and has a whole festival dedicated to it. It can grow up to 35 feet tall. The Weeping cherry (P. x subhirtella) can have pink or white flowers and comes in a variety of sizes. The branches spill downward, like a weeping willow tree or water flowing from a fountain.

The 'Okame' cherry (P. 'Okame') produces deep pink blossoms and grows up to 20 feet tall with branches stretching up in a traditional, rounded tree form. It can be an early bloomer and sometimes blossoms as early as Valentine's Day in the warmer temperatures of the lower South. The 'Kwanzan' cherry (P. serrulata 'Kwanzan') is a vigorous grower with frilly blooms that resemble carnations. It's usually a late bloomer that flowers in mid-to-late spring and can reach heights up to 30 feet tall.

Pruning

Cherry blossom trees don’t typically require much pruning. However, if you need to prune for any reason, do so after blooming in the spring. This will help shape the tree and remove any dead wood or buds that didn’t bloom.

Propagating a Cherry Blossom Tree

There are a few methods that can be used to propagate a cherry blossom tree, including grafting, softwood cuttings, and air layering. Propagating using softwood cuttings must be done at the right time, just as buds appear and early in the morning. Grafting requires buying rootstock of a compatible tree.

Air layering is the easiest and most reliable method, and it is done right on the parent plant. To begin the process of air layering, follow these steps:

1. Use a sharp knife to make two parallel cuts at least 2 inches apart around the circumference of a branch that is at least 3/8 inch thick.
2. Remove the bark between the cuts, and scrape away the cambium layer to block the flow of any water and nutrients.
3. Cover the bare area with wet sphagnum moss, then cover it with plastic wrap, securing the ends with tape to prevent water from entering the area.
4. When roots begin to show through the plastic, watch for a root ball to form. When it has formed, remove the plastic, cut the branch below this new root ball, and plant the cutting.

How to Grow Cherry Blossom Trees From Seed

Most cherry seeds need cold stratification before planting; this involves exposing seeds to a period of cold temperatures to mimic winter which helps trigger germination. Wrap cherry seeds in a damp cloth, place them in a ziplock bag, and put them in the refrigerator for about 10 weeks.

During early spring, plant the prepared seeds in full sun about 2 inches deep into the soil, then cover with a layer of mulch to retain moisture.

Overwintering

Cherry blossom trees need little protection during winter throughout most of their hardiness zones, as the typical temperature ranges in these zones don't usually stress the trees. Young trees planted in the northern area, Zone 5, will need mulch or a layer of pine straw to protect the roots from the cold during the winter months.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Flowering cherry trees are relatively low maintenance, but they are susceptible to pests and diseases that can damage or kill the trees. It's these potentially harmful garden visitors that you should watch for.

Common pests like aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, Japanese beetles, and borers can cause problems. If you encounter them on your cherry blossom tree, use a water hose to spray them off your tree’s leaves. Remove any caterpillar nests you see, as they will eat the leaves, leaving holes as they go. Use an insecticide to get rid of Japanese beetles.

Diseases cause more damage to cherry blossom trees and are more worrisome than any pests that may visit. Leaf spot and powdery mildew can be treated with fungicide. Other diseases may require the removal of infected branches and debris around the tree. Severe infections may require the removal of the tree to prevent any sickness from spreading to other trees in your yard.

How To Get a Cherry Blossom Tree To Bloom

Cherry blossom season lasts for about a month every spring and is always dependent on the weather. Early March to early April is generally a good rule of thumb when hoping to see blooms. However, if warm temperatures arrive sooner, they can encourage some cherry blossom trees to bloom as early as January and February. Most cherry blossom trees bloom for one to two weeks during the season. The further south you go, the earlier in the season the trees will bloom. When blooming, cherry blossoms make for easy and beautiful flower arrangements that can last quite a long time.

Trees that are planted in a location with favorable conditions will typically bloom well. Weather can sometimes be a factor. If a hard frost happens once the buds appear, it can cause the tree to lose its blooms for the season. However, the tree should return to blooming the next year.

Celebrate the Blossoms In Washington, D.C.

Some of the most recognizable cherry blossoms in the United States are the ones that surround the national monuments in Washington, D.C. The cherry blossom is the unofficial national flower of Japan, and in 1912, the mayor of Tokyo, Yukio Ozaki, gave the United States 3,000 cherry trees to celebrate the friendship between the cities and countries. First Lady Helen Herron Taft planted the first cherry blossom tree along the Potomac. In return, the United States gifted Japan flowering dogwoods in 1915.

Given the abundance of trees planted around Washington, D.C., the city has become a hub for blooming cherry blossoms. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is dependent on when the trees bloom each year; peak bloom typically falls in April in Washington, but visit the official website which predicts the peak cherry blossom bloom time each spring. The festival usually includes an opening ceremony, a kite festival, and a parade, among other bloom-centric events.

Don't even think of breaking a branch off a D.C tree to take home. According to The Washingtonian, "Breaking off blossoms and branches is considered vandalism of federal property and can land you a citation or even get you arrested, though a Metropolitan Police spokesperson says officers enforce the law with 'an incredible amount of discretion,' mostly issuing warnings and small fines." Savor the beauty on the branch and snap photos rather than flowers.

Cherry Blossom Trivia

George Washington never actually chopped down a cherry tree. According to Mount Vernon, that was a myth created by one of Washington's early biographers, Mason Locke Weems.

Cherry blossom trees are known as sakura in Japan, where the blooms are symbols of renewal and hope. Picnicking beneath the trees is a longstanding Japanese tradition, known as hanami.

In Washington, D.C., you can find cherry blossom trees around the Tidal Basin, but other trees are located near the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument. There are also cherry trees at the National Arboretum.