How to grow cherry blossom trees

WA Scene | January 26, 2022 | 0 Comments

Growing cherry blossom trees

Cherry blossom trees are the essence of spring. Cherry blossoms make an appearance once a year in the peak of spring for a window of around two weeks only. A cherry blossom tree is characterised by the specific flower produced by one of several genus Prunus. Thankfully there are many varieties some of which are compact, easy to grow and some which don’t mind the warmer weather although it should be noted many prefer a cooler climate than Perth.

If you have ever wondered how to grow cherry blossom trees in Perth then look no further. Cherry blossom trees are a relatively easy tree to grow, and there are a few tricks to successfully growing cherry blossom trees in Perth, Western Australia. Get these right and you will be laughing.

When to plant cherry blossom trees in Perth:

The best time to plant cherry blossom trees is between autumn to early spring, as there is no risk of frost.

How much water do cherry blossom trees need:

You need to care for your tree when first planted or when it is newly planted or transplanted.

Water when needed, but do not overwater. Approximately every two weeks in spring or weekly in the summer months. See when the top of the soil is dry and then water deeply. Do not wait for too long in between watering to avoid drought stress.

Types of cherry blossom trees in Australia:

Wondering which cherry blossom tree might best suit your garden? Some cherry blossom trees can grow up to 10 m high, but many small cherry blossom varieties which are ideal for those with small garden area. Check out this list just some of the common cherry blossom tree varieties here in Australia and what makes them unique;

Prunus Kanzan – Vase-like in shape with rich, pink double flowers, these trees can become very broad over time.
Prunus Kiku-shidare-zakura – A truly stunning tree with weeping branches smothered with rich, deep pink flowers with clustered petals.
Prunus Shirotae – A smaller but broad tree with a spreading flattened crown and arching branches with white blooms.
Prunus Amanogawa – The flagpole cherry is narrow and erect, bearing plenty of pale pink flowers.

How to grow cherry blossom trees at home:

You can plant cherry blossom trees is in either full sun, partial or mostly shady areas, as long as you have deep fertile soil. The soil should be well drained but kept moist. An acidic soil environment is the ideal for cherry blossom trees, however it can adapt to different PH levels.

Consider the mature size of the cherry blossom trees you chose when spacing them out. Usually around 5 m between each tree is enough.
Dig a hole for your cherry blossom tree. The hole should be twice the size and depth of the root ball.
Add a layer of organic matter at the bottom for the cherry blossom tree’s roots to sit on.
Backfill until level with the ground, and the cherry blossom tree’s roots are adequately covered by soil.
A wooden stake or support may be needed until the tree has set its roots in the ground.
Water thoroughly and sprinkle the appropriate tree fertiliser around the base.
A deep mulch of about 5 – 8 cm is needed to prevent the soil from drying out.

How to grow cherry blossom trees in pots:

Potted cherry trees do well provided you have a pot that is large enough for them, I recommend a self-pollinating cherry blossom, otherwise you will need a second pollinating buddy. Smaller potted varieties will grow around 1.8 – 2 m.

Water the pot prior to preparing the planting hole.
Dig a hole twice the size of the pot and backfill so that the potting mix inside the pot is positioned at the same height as the surrounding soil.
Gently remove the cheery blossom tree from the pot or bag you purchased in and place it in the centre of the hole.
Backfill with soil and firm down to remove any air holes around the roots.
Water in every 1-2 weeks so that the soil is moist but too wet.

How to fertilise cherry blossom trees:

Cherry blossom trees are light feeders and prefer a low-nitrogen fertiliser such as 5-10-10. If you keep pouring on nitrogen fertiliser it’s really only good to help the branches grow. The older the tree the less nitrogen is required in other words.

When do cherry blossom trees bloom:

Cherry blossoms will bloom in spring. It’s not uncommon to see them from late August through until October depending on the variety.

When to prune cherry blossom trees:

The best time to prune cherry blossom trees and dwarf cherry blossoms is in the late winter when they are dormant.

How long can cherry blossom trees live:

On average, ornamental cherry trees live between 15 and 20 years, but some varieties can live much longer with the correct care.

Cherry blossom common problems:

Aphids can be an issue with cherry blossom trees.

Black knot fungus can also be an issue with cherry blossom trees. Light brown or brown small growth will appear at the joints or branches. Remove the infected stem as soon as possible to avoid the spread of the fungus.

Watch also for silver leaf fungus which could make the cherry blossom tree’s leaves appear grey or silver in certain spots. Cut the branch of the diseased leaves. It is important to clean your tools before and after using them to prevent the spread of diseases further.