Weeping Japanese Flowering Cherry - Prunus serrulata 'Cheals Weeping'

Prunus serrulata 'Cheals Weeping', also known as 'Kiku-shidare', is one of the most beloved ornamental trees in Australian gardens. Each Spring, before the leaves emerge, the gracefully arching weeping branches are completely smothered in dense clusters of deep pink double flowers, creating a cascading waterfall of blossom that stops people in their tracks. It is a moment that lasts two to three weeks and is worth every day of the wait.

As the flowers fade, dark green serrated leaves emerge and provide a lush, full canopy through Spring and Summer. Come Autumn, the foliage transitions to warm golden yellow tones before the tree drops its leaves for Winter, revealing the elegant weeping branch structure beneath. Four distinct seasons of interest in a single compact tree.

In Melbourne, 'Cheals Weeping' thrives across most of the metropolitan area, performing beautifully in the cool, temperate climate that suits Japanese cherries so well. It is particularly stunning planted near ponds or water features where the weeping form and pink blossom are reflected in the water. As a grafted standard, it maintains a tidy, manageable size of 2 to 4m, making it ideal for small gardens, courtyards, and formal landscapes.

Key Features:

• Soil: Loam, sandy, or well-drained soils. Avoid waterlogged or poorly drained positions. In Melbourne's clay-heavy areas, improve drainage with gypsum or plant in a raised bed.
• Light: Full sun to semi-shade. At least 5 to 6 hours of direct sun daily produces the best flowering display. Morning sun with afternoon shade suits warmer Melbourne suburbs.
• Watering: Water regularly during establishment and through Melbourne's dry summers, particularly January and February. Once established, water deeply every one to two weeks during dry spells. Reduce watering in Winter when the tree is dormant.
• Fertiliser: Apply a slow-release fertiliser formulated for flowering trees in late Winter, just before buds begin to swell. A light application of liquid fertiliser after flowering supports healthy leaf development through Spring and Summer.
• Maintenance: Medium. Prune lightly immediately after flowering to maintain the weeping shape and remove any crossing or inward-growing branches. Avoid heavy pruning. Remove any suckers that emerge from below the graft union promptly. Mulch well year-round.
• Flowering: Flowers in Spring, typically August to September in Melbourne, before the leaves emerge. Deep pink double blooms smother the weeping branches for two to three weeks, creating a spectacular cascading display. Flowering time varies slightly depending on Melbourne suburb and aspect.

Always check below the graft union for suckers, vigorous straight shoots that emerge from the rootstock below the graft point. These must be removed immediately by pulling or cutting them off flush with the trunk. If left, they will outcompete the weeping variety and eventually take over the tree. Check every few months during the growing season, particularly in the first few years after planting.

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