The Flowering Cherry Prunus ‘Kiku-shidare-zakura’, which is more commonly called ‘Cheal’s Weeping Cherry’, is a compact ornamental cherry prized for its cascading habit and beautiful spring display of blossom. In April and May, its arching branches are clothed in compact clusters of double pink blossoms, creating a wonderful fountain of colour. Their flowers grown alongside its fresh bronze-tinted leaves, these later mature into shiny green colours before turning shades of orange and gold in the autumn.

The ‘Cheal’s Weeping’ Cherry tree has an elegant weeping silhouette, which adds a lovely structure to any garden, even in winter. These trees grow to around 4–6 metres tall and similarly wide at maturity which makes this tree manageable for small gardens and can even be grown in large containers.The ‘Cheal’s Weeping’ prefers a sunny or partially shaded position, it likes well-drained soil, ideally on chalk or loam, though it can also tolerate urban pollution when properly cared for. Please avoid planting in waterlogged ground, as like with most cherries it dislikes permanently wet roots. It does require minimal pruning is required in mid-summer by removing dead or crossing branches. Hardy and low-maintenance, this flowering cherry cultivar combines decorative form with a large blossom, making it a wonderful focal point for small gardens, courtyards, or city plots alike. Introduced from Japan in the early 20th century, it remains one of the most popular weeping cherries for British gardeners.

Characteristics: Weeping, suitable for small spaces

Soil: Moist fertile loam soil, likes Alkaline,

Position: Sun, partial shade, does not like waterlogged soil

Foliage: Deciduous, bronze tinged leaves turn green, yellow & orange in autumn

Flowering: Deep pink double blossom April/May

Habit: Weeping, arched branches give a graceful outline

Hardiness: Hardy except in wet soils

Growth: Slow to medium

Benefits to Wildlife: Mainly bees and butterflies

Height & Spread in Maturity: 5m x 2.5-3m

Top Worked: 1.2m x 1m