White Weeping Flowering Cherry - Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula Alba'

Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula Alba', known as the White Weeping Flowering Cherry or Higan Cherry, is one of the most graceful ornamental trees available for Melbourne gardens. Usually grafted onto a 1.2m or 1.8m standard trunk, the pendulous branches cascade downwards in a natural weeping curtain that is beautiful year-round, even without leaves. In Spring, before the new foliage appears, the branches are completely covered in clusters of pure white flowers that create a breathtaking waterfall of blossom.

As the flowers fade, large serrated deep green leaves emerge and provide a lush, full canopy through Spring and Summer. Come Autumn, the foliage transitions through warm yellow and orange tones before dropping to reveal the elegant weeping structure beneath. Four distinct seasons of interest in a compact, manageable tree.

In Melbourne, 'Pendula Alba' thrives across most of the metropolitan area, performing beautifully in the cool temperate climate that suits Japanese cherries so well. Its compact size of 2 to 4m makes it ideal for small gardens, courtyards, and Japanese inspired landscapes, while its refined weeping form makes it equally at home in formal gardens and near water features where the cascading branches are reflected below.

Key Features:

• Soil: Well-drained soils preferred. Avoid waterlogged or poorly drained positions. In Melbourne's clay-heavy areas, improve drainage with gypsum or plant in a raised bed with improved soil mix.
• Light: Full sun to semi-shade. Best flowering display in full sun. Morning sun with afternoon shade suits warmer Melbourne suburbs and can help extend the blossom period in Spring.
• Watering: Water regularly during establishment and through Melbourne's dry summers. Once established, water deeply every one to two weeks during extended dry spells. Reduce watering in Winter when the tree is dormant.
• Fertiliser: Apply a slow-release fertiliser for flowering trees in late Winter, just before buds begin to swell. A light liquid feed after flowering supports healthy new foliage development through Spring and Summer.
• Maintenance: Low. Prune lightly immediately after flowering to maintain the weeping shape and remove any crossing or inward-growing branches. Always prune cherries immediately after flowering to minimise the risk of silver leaf disease. Remove any suckers from below the graft union promptly. Mulch well year-round.
• Flowering: Flowers in Spring, typically August to September in Melbourne, before the new leaves emerge. Clusters of pure white flowers completely cover the cascading branches for two to three weeks, creating a breathtaking waterfall of blossom. Flowers are excellent for cutting.

The graft union on a weeping standard is its most vulnerable point. Always stake the tree firmly at planting and check the stake and tie regularly for the first two to three years to ensure the trunk is not rubbing or being damaged. Also check regularly for suckers emerging from below the graft union, these must be removed immediately by pulling or cutting flush with the trunk. Left unchecked, rootstock suckers will outcompete the weeping variety and take over the tree entirely.

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