Column cherry, Prunus serrulata 'Royal Burgundy': care information

the Japanese column cherryPrunus serrulata 'Royal Burgundy' is also becoming more and more popular in this country. No wonder, as it usually develops into a colorful and imposing eye-catcher in the garden. However, in order for this to really work, the location and maintenance must be right. Regular cutting plays a particularly important role. Overall, however, it is a relatively undemanding cherry that, despite its splendor, requires relatively little maintenance.

Characteristics

• Alternative names: Japanese cherry blossoms, Japanese column cherry, oriental cherry
• botanical name: Prunus serrulata
• Genus: Prunus / Family: Rosaceae
• Growth form: upright, columnar shrub
• Height / width / speed of growth: 4 to 7 m / 3 to 5 m / 30 to 150 cm per year
• Flowering period: April and May
• Flowers: up to 3 cm in size, pink in color
• Leaves: sawtooth-shaped, crimson to violet, turning bronze towards autumn
• Fruit: is only developed in very rare cases
• Origin: China, Japan and Korea
• Hardy: yes
• Toxic: no
• Use: free-standing ornamental plant in the garden or in the entrance area

Location

The Royal Burgundy likes it very warm in spring and summer. It also needs a lot of light in order to be able to unfold its full splendor. A location that is as sunny as possible is therefore a must. In a pinch, however, it copes reasonably well with partial shade, even if it can then lead to a somewhat more modest flowering. It is also important that the location is sheltered from the wind.

Note: In this context, “sunny” means that the plant gets around six hours of sun a day. “Penumbra” is understood to mean a solar time of at least three to a maximum of six hours.

floor

Prunus Serrulata 'Royal Burgundy' is an astonishingly frugal plant and therefore does not place any great demands on the soil. Loose, well-drained soils, into which the deep-rooting can easily penetrate and penetrate, are preferred. The soil is welcome to have a high proportion of sand. However, clay proportions do not pose a problem either. The nutrient content should correspond to that of the conventional garden soil.

A neutral to more alkaline quality of the soil promotes the expression of the flowers. In other words: this flowering cherry can be planted in practically any garden soil. A previous enrichment is not necessary. There is also no need to create a drain.

planting

Ideally, Prunus serrulata 'Royal Burgundy' should be planted in early autumn. A period from the end of September to around mid-October is particularly suitable here. It is important that the first ground frost is still a few weeks away. The cherry is generally hardy, but it is also relatively sensitive as long as its roots are not firmly anchored in the ground. When planting, proceed as follows:

1. Dig the planting hole with a spade
2. it should be twice the size of the root ball
3. Loosen the bottom of the planting hole relatively deeply with a spade
4. Place the root ball in the hole, making sure that the trunk is straight
5. fill up with the previously removed soil
6. compact loose soil around the trunk
7. Pour generously until the bottom is really wet

The freshly planted cherry will only stand firmly in the ground when it is somewhat rooted. It will take a few weeks for that to happen. During this time there is a great risk that the plant kinks and the rooting process is disturbed. That is why it is of particular importance to stabilize them. It works like this:

1. Immediately after planting, carefully insert a thin wooden stake into the ground about 5 cm from the trunk
2. the stake should be stable and at least the size of the plant
3. then tie the trunk loosely to the stake with bast or a cord
4. Connect to at least two, better three places

Tip: In the first few weeks in particular, the stability should be checked several times and, if necessary, an additional connection should be made. As a rule, the peg can then be removed in spring at the latest.

Care information

As already indicated, the Royal Burgundy doesn't need a lot of maintenance. Just leaving them to their fate doesn't work either. A certain amount of attention and care is necessary for this ornamental cherry to give pleasure for as long as possible.

to water

Prunus serrulata thrives best in a rather moist soil. However, since the plant has very deep roots, this does not mean that the soil around the trunk has to be permanently moist. In an average summer it will be adequately supplied with water by the falling rain in our latitudes. On the other hand, it becomes problematic in a particularly low-precipitation and very hot summer. If it has not rained for four weeks and the temperatures are constantly in a range between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, you can no longer avoid watering. Please note the following:

• always water directly in the root area, never over the leaves
• it is better to give smaller amounts of water more often than a single large amount
• water as large an area around the trunk as possible
• Always water in the morning and never at noon or in the afternoon

A good indication that the cherry needs water is the condition of its leaves. In a sense, they act as an indicator. If they roll up or begin to turn brown, watering is urgently recommended.

Note: A column cherry must never be watered, as can be the case with a garden sprinkler. Since it is usually in direct sunlight, the water droplets on the leaves would cause severe burns.

Fertilize

It is well known that every plant not only needs water and light in order to thrive, but also nutrients. She gets this out of the ground. Its nutrient reservoir will, however, sooner or later be used up. Then it has to be fertilized. Fortunately, the Royal Burgundy has a very low nutritional requirement. Since it also has very deep roots, it can get nutrients from an area of ​​the soil that other plants can no longer reach with their roots.

As a rule, therefore, it is not necessary to fertilize a column cherry. Exception: If the soil is naturally very poor in phosphorus, it is advisable to use a fertilizer containing phosphorus in spring and autumn. Lime also makes sense in autumn. Both support the flower growth enormously.

Cut

Its name already suggests: One of the special charms of the column cherry is its growth habit. In order to be able to keep it permanently in the typical columnar shape, it has to be cut once a year. This is always only a maintenance cut, a cut back or even a drastic cut back is not necessary and also not recommended. Cutting should always be done in summer. The months of June and July are ideal for this. That's how it's done:

• always cut to the desired shape
• Remove cross-growing branches and wild shoots
• Cut off dead and starving shoots directly from the trunk
• cut more cautiously than too briskly
• use only very sharp and clean cutting tools

Unclean cut edges are a danger when pruning Prunus serrulata. They can be a gateway for mushrooms and other pests. Unclean cut edges are often caused by using pruning shears, knives or saws that are not sufficiently sharp. The sharpness must therefore be checked and, if necessary, sharpened before the cut.

Tip: Many experts recommend sealing larger cut surfaces with this cherry. Botanical closures, which are available from specialist gardeners, are suitable for this.

Multiplication

The column cherry is propagated through the principle of cuttings. Propagation should only take place in frost-free winter months when the cherry has no leaves. The following steps are necessary for this:

• Cut off annual, already lignified shoots
• Shorten to 10 to 15 cm
• make sure that there are two to three pairs of eyes
• put the shoot in poor plant substrate
• water well

As a rule, the shoot will develop its first shoots in spring. Then it can be transplanted to the final location. However, it can take a few years for it to bloom for the first time.

Note: In contrast to many other plant species, it is not necessary with this ornamental cherry to expose the cut off shoot to a warm climate. The reproduction can therefore also take place outdoors.

wintering

Once again: the cherry tree is hardy and therefore does not necessarily have to be protected from frost. The root area can only be covered with a layer of bark if the temperature is permanently very frosty.

Diseases and pests

Prunus serrulata 'Royal Burgundy' is not only a very frugal plant, but also an astonishingly robust one. As a rule, it does not develop any diseases, nor do you have to deal with any pests - always provided, of course, that above all the site conditions are right. As already mentioned, however, large cut surfaces and injuries from kinked branches may be a gateway for fungi. A possible infestation can be recognized relatively easily by the fact that the leaves lose their typical color. In contrast, only treatment with an effective fungicide can help.