WSU Clark County Extension
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Weeping Higan Cherry

Scientific name: Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’
Taxonomy
Family:Rosaceae
Type:Deciduous tree
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:5 to 8
Sun:Full sun
Moisture:Medium
Plant Characteristics
Height:20 ft
Width:25 ft
Bloom:Winter flowers
Bloom Time:March
Bloom Color:Pink
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Weeping Higan cherry is raised for its weeping, cascading habit and the profusion of showy pink flowers that bursts forth in late winter before the leaves foliage.

  Morphology:
The stone fruit variant is a deciduous tree which grows to a height of 20’ with a mature width of 25’. The branches are twiggy and whip-like. Leaves are arranged in an alternate fashion and are ovate in shape. The cascading effect is achieved by grafting the ‘Pendula’ buds 5’-6’ above the soil surface onto a stone fruit rootstock.

Single- or double-flowering, Higan cherry bloom consists of half-inch wide pink flowers that open in late March and last for a week. The flowers hang in pendulous clusters.

  Adaptation:
Grows well on a wide array of sites. Its best to avoid those which are poorly drained.

  Pests:
In areas west of the Cascades this species suffers from all the major stone fruit disorders including brown rot on the flowers, leaf spot on the foliage, and canker on the trunk. Be sure to select a sunny, windy location for this tree.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234