Essential Tips for Caring for Your New Cherry Tree and Ensuring Healthy, Beautiful Blossoms
- Kerri Cuthbert
- Sep 20, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
Flowering cherry trees (Prunus spp.) are some of the most enchanting additions to any outdoor space. With their graceful structure, vibrant spring blossoms, and seasonal elegance, cherry trees are a firm favourite across UK gardens.
Whether you're planting a single statement tree or creating a blossom-filled border, this guide covers everything you need to know—from selecting the right variety to planting, care, pruning, and FAQs.
Choosing the Right Flowering Cherry Tree Variety
There are many stunning cherry tree cultivars available, each offering something unique. Below are some standout options currently available:
1. Prunus 'Jacqueline' | Flowering Cherry
A hardy, floriferous variety with blush-pink, semi-double blossoms. Perfect for early-season interest and compact gardens.
2. Prunus 'Fragrant Cloud' (Shizuka) | Japanese Flowering Cherry
Known for its beautifully scented white blossoms with a hint of blush. A graceful tree ideal for creating romantic garden scenes.
3. Prunus 'Crystal Falls'® | Flowering Cherry
A cascading form with pure white flowers. Its weeping habit makes it a striking feature in any landscape design.
4. Prunus ‘Weeping Yoshino’ | Yoshino Cherry
Elegant arching branches covered in soft pink blooms. A wonderful option for large lawns or driveway borders.
5. Prunus ‘Tai-haku’ | Great White Cherry
Famed for its large, snow-white blossoms and broad canopy. This variety brings drama and grandeur to spring gardens.
Cherry Tree Care at a Glance
Key Factor | Details |
☀️ Sunlight | Full sun (6–8 hours daily) |
🌱 Soil | Well-drained, slightly acidic–neutral (pH 6.0–7.0) |
🌳 Height | Typically 3–6 metres at maturity |
📅 Planting | Autumn–spring (bare root); year-round (potted) |
💧 Watering | Weekly in first year, during dry spells after |
✂️ Pruning | After flowering, avoid heavy cuts |
Ideal Planting Conditions
Sunlight: Full sun is essential for flowering cherry trees. Aim for a location that receives at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Without enough light, flowering can be sparse and growth may become leggy or uneven.
Soil: Cherry trees grow best in well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0). They dislike soggy or compacted soil, which can lead to root rot. If your garden has clay-heavy soil, improve drainage by incorporating organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure, or by adding horticultural grit to break up the structure.
Drainage Tip: To test drainage, dig a small hole and fill it with water. If it hasn’t drained within an hour, you may need to amend the soil or choose a raised planting position.
Spacing: Allow 3 to 6 metres between trees, depending on the variety’s mature size. Good spacing promotes healthy air circulation, reduces disease risk, and gives each tree room to develop its natural shape.
Shelter: Choose a site that’s sheltered from harsh winds, especially for young or weeping varieties, as wind can damage new growth or delicate branches.
📚 Want to check your garden’s soil pH? Read our guide on Soil pH and Choosing the Right Tree
How to Plant Your Cherry Tree
Planting your cherry tree properly gives it the best possible start. Whether you're planting a bare-root tree or a container-grown one, follow these steps:
Prepare the Planting Hole: Dig a hole twice as wide and the same depth as the root ball. This gives roots room to spread and prevents water pooling at the base.
Check the Graft Union: Identify the graft union—a small swelling near the base of the trunk—and make sure it sits just above soil level when planted. This prevents rotting and promotes healthier growth.
Loosen the Roots (for potted trees): If planting a container-grown tree, gently tease out the roots if they’re circling the pot. This encourages them to grow outward rather than remain root-bound.
Backfill with Nutrient-Rich Soil: Mix your existing soil with compost or well-rotted manure to boost fertility. Avoid using only shop-bought compost—trees thrive best when roots grow into the native soil.
Firm in and Water Thoroughly: Press the soil gently around the base of the tree to eliminate air pockets, then soak well to help the roots settle.
Mulch the Base: Add a 5–8cm layer of mulch (e.g. bark chips or composted wood) around the tree’s base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep mulch 5–10cm away from the trunk to prevent rot.
Stake if Necessary: For bare-root or tall varieties, consider staking the tree for the first year to help it establish upright growth in exposed locations.
Best time to plant:
Bare root cherry trees: November to March (while dormant)
Container-grown trees: Any time of year, avoiding extreme frost or drought
Watering and Feeding
Providing consistent moisture and nutrients—especially in the early years—is key to establishing a healthy, blossom-filled cherry tree.
Watering tips:
First Year: Water your cherry tree once a week during its first growing season, especially in dry weather. Deep, infrequent watering encourages roots to grow downward, creating a more drought-tolerant tree.
Established Trees: Once established (after the first 12–18 months), cherry trees are relatively low-maintenance. Water only during prolonged dry spells, particularly in summer or sandy soils that dry out quickly.
Avoid Overwatering: Never let your tree sit in waterlogged soil. Overwatering can cause root rot and stress the tree. Ensure good drainage—this is especially important if planting in heavy clay.
Top Tip: Stick your finger into the soil 5–8cm deep. If it feels dry at that level, it’s time to water.
Feeding Your Cherry Tree
Spring Feeding: In early spring, apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser (such as 10-10-10) to support fresh growth and flower production. Scatter it around the drip line—not against the trunk.
Mulching for Nutrition: Organic mulch not only retains moisture—it slowly feeds the soil as it breaks down. Replenish the mulch layer each year to improve soil structure and fertility.
Avoid Overfeeding: Excessive nitrogen (often found in lawn feeds) can lead to lush leaf growth but poor flowering. If your tree is growing lots of leaves but few flowers, the fertiliser could be the culprit.
Want to feed your tree naturally? Try adding well-rotted manure or compost around the base in late winter or early spring.
Pruning for Health and Blooms
Pruning your flowering cherry tree at the right time helps it stay healthy, balanced, and full of spring colour. Done correctly, pruning also improves airflow, reduces the risk of disease, and encourages better blossom displays.
When to Prune
Spring-Flowering Cherry Trees: Prune just after flowering in late spring or early summer (April to June). This allows you to enjoy the full display and gives the tree time to heal before winter.
Winter-Flowering Varieties (e.g. ‘Crystal Falls’): Prune in early spring, once the flowers have faded.
Avoid pruning in late autumn or winter—this increases the risk of silver leaf disease and other fungal infections.
How to Prune Flowering Cherry Trees
Start by removing:
Dead or diseased branches
Any rubbing, crossing, or crowded branches
Shoots growing inward toward the trunk
Shape the canopy: Create an open-centre shape by spacing out the main branches. This allows light and air to reach the middle of the tree, promoting healthy growth and reducing fungal issues.
Maintain natural form: Cherry trees don’t respond well to harsh pruning. Aim for gentle shaping—little and often is better. Avoid cutting back into old wood or removing large limbs.
Use clean, sharp tools: Always sterilise secateurs and loppers before and after use to prevent spreading disease.
Pruning Young vs. Mature Trees
Young Trees (first 3–5 years): Focus on structural training—form a balanced shape with evenly spaced main branches.
Mature Trees: Limit pruning to light shaping, removing suckers or unwanted growth. Over-pruning can reduce flowering and cause stress.
Tip: If your tree produces suckers (shoots from the base), remove them at ground level to maintain shape and energy for flowering.
Flowering Cherry Trees in the Landscape
Flowering cherry trees can be used creatively in your garden design:
Walkways: Line a path or driveway with evenly spaced cherry trees. As they mature, the arching branches—especially of weeping varieties like ‘Weeping Yoshino’—can form a graceful spring tunnel, bursting into bloom year after year.
Privacy Screens: Taller varieties such as ‘Tai-haku’ or ‘Fragrant Cloud’ are ideal for creating seasonal screening. Planted in a staggered row or informal hedge, they offer a beautiful backdrop while adding spring structure and privacy.
Feature Trees: Plant a single flowering cherry as a standout feature in a lawn or border. Compact forms like ‘Jacqueline’ or cascading trees like ‘Crystal Falls’® are perfect as eye-catching specimens in smaller spaces or modern courtyard gardens.
Tip: Underplant with spring bulbs or low-growing perennials to create layers of seasonal interest beneath the canopy.
Companion Planting with Flowering Cherry Trees
Pairing the right plants with your flowering cherry tree can extend seasonal colour, support pollinators, and enhance your garden design. Choose companions that won’t compete with the shallow root system and that complement the cherry tree’s springtime display.
Spring Bulbs: Plant daffodils, crocuses, and tulips around the base for a cheerful burst of colour before the cherry blossoms appear. These bulbs thrive in the same well-drained soil and finish flowering before the tree’s canopy thickens.
Lavender: Ideal for sunny spots, lavender attracts pollinators and helps deter pests like aphids. The soft grey foliage and purple blooms provide beautiful contrast to the pinks and whites of cherry blossoms.
Ornamental Grasses: Grasses like Stipa tenuissima or Hakonechloa add movement and texture beneath the tree. They work especially well with weeping cherries, softening the overall look and echoing the tree’s arching form.
Shade-Tolerant Perennials: Once your cherry tree is established, the canopy will create dappled shade. Try Japanese anemones, brunnera, or hostas beneath mature trees to add layers of late-season interest.
Avoid planting too close to the trunk—cherry trees prefer clear space around their base to protect surface roots and reduce the risk of rot.
Common Problems and Solutions
No Blossoms: Usually caused by too much shade, pruning at the wrong time, or overfeeding with nitrogen-rich fertilisers. Ensure your tree gets full sun and prune only after flowering.
Aphid or Caterpillar Damage: Look for distorted leaves, sticky residue, or nibbled foliage. Spray with insecticidal soap or encourage natural predators like ladybirds.
Blossom Blight: A fungal infection that browns flowers and wilts new shoots. Prune affected areas just after flowering and avoid pruning in wet conditions.
Silver Leaf Disease: Leaves take on a silvery sheen before branches die back. Prune in dry weather using clean tools and remove infected wood.
Winter Damage: Frost can split bark or damage young trees. Use fleece or tree guards in exposed locations during harsh weather.
FAQs
When is the best time to plant a cherry tree?
Plant bare root cherry trees between November and March, while they’re dormant. Container-grown trees can be planted any time, avoiding extreme frost or drought.
How tall will a flowering cherry tree grow?
Does a cherry tree need full sun?
Can I grow a cherry tree in a pot?
Why isn’t my cherry tree flowering?
Flowering cherry trees are a timeless addition to any outdoor space, offering graceful form and unforgettable spring displays. With the right care and thoughtful placement, they’ll bring beauty and structure to your garden for years to come. Whether you’re planting a single focal tree or planning a blossom-filled walkway, this guide should help you get off to the best start.
Need help choosing the perfect cherry tree for your garden? Get in touch with our team – we’re always happy to help.
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