Snow Fountains weeping cherry

Sun

Full sun for the best flowering; tolerates light partial shade.

Water

Keep evenly moist while establishing. Once established, water deeply during prolonged dry spells; avoid constantly wet soil.

Soil

Fertile, well-drained loam is ideal. Tolerates clay or sandy soil if drainage and moisture retention are adequate, and grows in mildly acidic to mildly alkaline conditions.

Height

8-15 ft (2.4-4.6 m), depending on graft height and training

Spread

6-12 ft (1.8-3.7 m)

Flowers

Early to mid-spring; single white flowers on bare, arching and trailing branches.

Foliage

Pointed, toothed green leaves turn yellow, gold or orange in autumn.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   7 ft (2 m)

2. After 1 year

   7 ft (2.1 m)

3. After 2 years

   7 ft (2.2 m)

4. After 3 years

   7 ft (2.2 m)

5. After 5 years

   8 ft (2.4 m)

About 20 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Growth rate

Moderate

• Plant with the root flare at soil level and the graft union well above the soil.
• Water deeply through the first two growing seasons whenever the root zone begins to dry.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the trunk.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak or a soil test indicates a deficiency; avoid heavy nitrogen feeding.
• Stake only if the root ball is unstable, and remove supports once the tree is firmly rooted.
• Remove shoots from the rootstock or below the graft promptly, and keep lawn equipment away from the bark.

Pruning. Prune sparingly in dry weather in summer to reduce the risk of silver leaf and bacterial canker. Remove dead, damaged or crossing branches and shorten only those trailing shoots that obstruct paths; do not shear the crown or remove its natural weeping framework.

Spring

Plant container-grown trees when the soil is workable, water thoroughly and check that the graft remains above soil level.

Early spring

Refresh mulch and feed lightly only if needed.

Late spring

Check young shoots for aphids and remove any shoots growing below the graft.

Summer

Carry out light pruning during a dry spell and water deeply during extended drought.

Autumn

Collect fallen diseased leaves and check that mulch is not touching the trunk.

Winter

Check ties and guards for rubbing or constriction; avoid routine dormant-season pruning.

• Use as a single specimen in a small lawn, leaving room for the branches to reach their natural width.
• Place beside a patio or courtyard where the spring flowers and weeping outline can be seen close up, without blocking circulation.
• Underplant with spring bulbs and low perennials for a layered display before the canopy fills out.
• Use near a pond or in a Japanese-inspired garden, but plant above waterlogged ground.

Garden styles it suits: Japanese, Modern courtyard, Cottage garden, Romantic rose garden, White garden and Small-space.

Plant it with: Snowdrops, Crocuses, Daffodils, Hellebores, Epimediums and Hardy geraniums.

Wildlife: The single flowers provide pollen and nectar for early bees. Occasional small fruits may be eaten by birds, but this is primarily an ornamental tree rather than a dependable fruit source.

• Bacterial canker or silver leaf: watch for sunken bark, dieback or persistently silvered leaves; prune affected wood in dry summer weather, disinfect tools and seek an arborist's advice if the trunk is involved.
• Brown rot blossom blight: remove blighted flower clusters and dead twig tips in dry weather, collect any shrivelled fruit and keep the crown open without heavy pruning.
• Aphids: inspect curled young leaves, rinse small colonies off with water and encourage ladybirds and other predators.
• Root rot and poor establishment in wet soil: correct drainage before planting and avoid overwatering; do not bury the root flare.

Leaves, stems, bark and seeds contain cyanogenic compounds and are toxic if eaten by cats, dogs, horses or people. Wilted leaves and chewed or crushed seeds are particularly hazardous; substantial ingestion can cause severe, potentially fatal poisoning. Do not allow livestock access to fallen foliage or prunings, and seek urgent veterinary or medical advice after suspected ingestion.

• Pink weeping cherry (Prunus pendula 'Pendula Rosea')

  Has single pink flowers rather than white and generally develops into a larger tree.

• Cheal's weeping cherry (Prunus 'Kiku-shidare-zakura')

  Has densely double, deep pink flowers and bronze young foliage, unlike the single white flowers and green foliage of Snow Fountains.

Snow Fountains refers to the fountain-like cascade of white blossom, while Prunus is the Latin name for plum trees and their relatives.

Propagation. Usually propagated commercially by budding or grafting onto a compatible cherry rootstock. Seedlings will not reliably match 'Snofozam'; propagation from cuttings requires specialist conditions and can be difficult.

Accepted botanical name

Prunus

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.