Plant Profile: Prunus x subhirtella 'Pendula'

The Weeping Higan Cherry is a graceful flowering cherry tree native to Japan. This deciduous species, which can reach heights and widths of up to 40 feet, features slender, drooping branches adorned with clusters of double pink flowers that bloom in spring, typically in groups of two to five. It thrives in moist, well-drained soils with average fertility and full sunlight, though it can adapt to less fertile, compacted, or drier soils once it is established. However, it does not exhibit notable fall foliage. Several cultivars within the Pendula Group showcase the tree's characteristic weeping form.

These trees are typically grafted onto Prunus avium rootstock at a height of 4 to 5 feet. It is essential to remove any growth below the graft to maintain the desired weeping shape. The branches can be pruned to a shorter length to facilitate walking and mowing beneath the tree or to accommodate other plantings in the area.

However, the Weeping Higan Cherry is prone to various viral and fungal diseases, as well as insect infestations. Common diseases include cankers, black knot, leaf spot, dieback, leaf curl, powdery mildew, root rot, and fire blight. Insects that may pose a threat include aphids, scale, borers, leafhoppers, caterpillars, tent caterpillars, and Japanese beetles, with spider mites also being a potential nuisance.

For quick identification, further details on Prunus x subhirtella can be found.