If your garden is in need of a stunning, long-term centrepiece, a leading gardening professional has identified one 'outstanding' plant that promises to deliver a spectacular display for years to come. According to expert Bex Edwards, the Weeping Cherry Blossom tree is the key to a dramatic outdoor transformation, and the winter months present the perfect planting window.
Why the Weeping Cherry Blossom is a garden game-changer
In a recent social media video, Edwards showcased the tree, also known as Cherry Kiku Shidare Zakura or Cheal's Weeping, praising its breathtaking aesthetic. She highlighted its graceful, arching branches that become smothered in beautiful, double pink flowers each spring. The visual impact is immediate and profound, offering a focal point that evolves with the seasons.
"Just look at these gorgeous weeping branches covered in that beautiful pink blossom," Edwards said, illustrating her point with compelling images. She emphasised that the tree's appeal extends beyond spring, with its leaves turning a glossy green in summer before putting on a fiery orange-red autumn display. This deciduous stunner is also noted for its pronounced weeping habit, making it a superb choice for smaller gardens where its form can be fully appreciated.
The winter planting advantage: Understanding bare roots
A crucial detail from Edwards's advice centres on the plant's form during the dormant season. Weeping Cherry Blossom trees are typically supplied as bare root plants, meaning they arrive without a pot or compost, appearing as little more than a root system in a dormant state. Edwards demonstrated that despite this unassuming look, the plant is very much alive, scratching a root to reveal the green growth beneath the bark.
"It means the plant is alive, it's just fast asleep and all you need to do is wake it up," she clarified. The waking process involves soaking the roots in a bucket of water overnight to rehydrate them before planting. This bare root method is not only cost-effective but also encourages strong root establishment in the new location.
Edwards was clear on the timing: the bare root planting season runs from the end of October through to the end of March or early April. "They can't be lifted in the summer as it would kill them," she explained in response to a follower's question, confirming that this dormant period is the only safe time to plant them in this form.
Practical planting advice for lasting success
For those ready to introduce this tree to their garden, Edwards provided straightforward guidance. The Weeping Cherry Blossom requires a sunny spot and can be planted directly into the ground or grown in a large pot or container. While it can ultimately reach between two and four metres in height, container growth will naturally restrict its size, an option Edwards herself is taking to manage its scale.
When asked about care, she advised that the trees do not respond well to hard pruning. "Just light pruning on the branches," she recommended. For those eager to see the first blooms, Edwards suggested that some flowering can be expected in the first year, with the display becoming increasingly impressive as the tree matures.
By planting this winter-hardy specimen now, gardeners can look forward to a magnificent spring spectacle. As Bex Edwards concluded with enthusiasm, the investment of time and care will result in a plant that is simply spectacular and will magnificently enhance any outdoor space for many years ahead.
