An ornamental cherry tree
The Japanese dwarf cherry tree (Prunus incisa) is a flowering cherry tree that blooms at the very beginning of spring, from the end of March, beginning of April. If the weather is favorable, without too much rain, the bloom can last for about 3 weeks to 1 month. It does not produce fruit; it is only an ornamental variety.
The Japanese dwarf cherry is a shrub with a twisted wood that grows quite slowly. Its adult size reaches 2 to 2.5 meters high. It is perfect for small gardens or to be grown in a container on a terrace.
The needs of the dwarf Japanese cherry tree
The dwarf Japanese cherry does not like wet soil. It should therefore be planted in a draining soil (sandy or loamy soil). If necessary, add sand at planting time to improve drainage.
The recommended exposure is sun or half-shade, but avoid shade so that it can flower properly.
The cultivation of the Japanese dwarf cherry tree does not require any particular fertilizer. The installation of a mulch composed of wood chips will be enough to maintain the natural humus of the soil, when it will decompose.
Hardiness of the dwarf Japanese cherry
The dwarf Japanese cherry has a very good resistance to cold. It is a hardy deciduous tree, like most deciduous trees. Only the trees planted in containers or pots require winter protection. It consists in protecting the pot, and thus the stump, from freezing.
Pruning the Japanese dwarf cherry tree
As with many other plants, Dauguet Nurseries strongly advises against pruning the Japanese dwarf cherry tree, except, possibly, to make a training pruning when branches develop in a too anarchic way. But this is the only pruning necessary: it should be left to grow on its own. In any case, as it is a slow growing shrub, the Japanese dwarf cherry tree will never be invasive.
One exception: if you want to create a vine-like shrub, you can prune the Japanese cherry slightly at the base. This shape suits its twisted branches well.
