Is there any more attractive sight than a flowering cherry blossom tree in full bloom? They really are a spectacular tree and whether you choose a weeping, upright or spreading variety you're guaranteed an eye-catching focal point for your garden. Flowering cherry trees are equally attractive and, of course, many produce lovely tasting fruit too.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll use the blossom and flowering cherry trees interchangeably. The difference between the two of course is that most blossom trees don’t produce fruit but both types of trees will be a wonderful addition to any garden.

Cherry blossom trees for your garden

If you’ve been thinking about ways to spruce up your garden but are trying to find something a little bit special, you won’t go far wrong with a cherry blossom tree.

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A lot of the time we’ll think about much smaller plants and trees for the garden but to make a real statement don’t overlook the cherry blossom. Many types of blossoms are very hardy and easy to take care of so it makes sense to include them in the garden. Not to mention how beautiful they are as well.

Why choose a cherry blossom tree?

If you have a large garden or a big space to fill a spreading blossom tree will make an amazing focal point. But they are also a popular choice for smaller gardens, and many varieties of cherry blossom tree are ideal for small gardens.

There are some varieties that will only grow to 4-8 metres and others that are very narrow growing and can be capped off at any height. What’s more, some cherry blossom trees can be trained to grow up a fence or screen so are ideal for creating a more private space.

Discover our full range of flowering cherry trees

In the UK, the winters are long and dull but come spring, your blossom tree will yield one of the first signs of life. If you don’t want to wait until summer for a pop of colour in your garden, these trees are ideal.

But more importantly, blossom trees are an important asset for wildlife. With their early spring flowers, they provide early nectar for bees and since many varieties produce fruit in summer, this will act as a food source for local birdlife.

Where should you plant a blossom tree?

If you want your blossom tree to thrive then it’s essential to plant it in the perfect spot. While these are relatively hardy and easy to care for, improper placement could be their downfall.

Generally speaking, for an ornamental tree you want to look for a spot in the garden that gets at least six hours of full sun each day. If there’s a spot that gets more than this, great, go for that instead! These trees also require well-draining soil so make that another priority when choosing a spot.

When planting your blossom tree, make sure that it has enough room to grow to its full potential. While there are much smaller blossoms, many popular flowering cherry trees will grow to be at least 15 feet in height and width while others can be double that. Take this into account when choosing a location.

How to choose the right tree for your garden

As we have just learned, there are some blossom trees that can grow to be enormous. So size is one of the first things you’ll need to consider.

Do your research and find out the maximum height and canopy width of your potential tree and make sure that your garden can accommodate this. It might look small when you buy it but if it overtakes, removing it will be incredibly tasking.

Some of the smallest blossoms may only grow to around two or three metres. At the other end of the scale, they can easily exceed six metres!

You might also wish to choose your blossom tree based on the appearance of the flowers. We all want our gardens to look unique to us so this is a great way of adding a bit of personal flair. Take some time to investigate different varieties and choose something that appeals to you.

Caring for a blossom tree

Once your blossom tree is established in your garden, you have the responsibility of caring for it. Now, the level of care will differ slightly between varieties but on the whole, these are simply plants to take care of. Here are some great tips for success.

Never over water your blossom tree. These trees like well-drained soil so you’ll probably only need to water during long dry spells over summer. Otherwise, rainfall will take care of the tree’s needs.

You should only prune your tree during the growing season which generally falls between May and August. However, only do this if it’s getting out of control.

You can add a granular fertiliser once a year during spring.

Make sure to regularly check the leaves of your blossom tree as their condition will tell you if there are problems with pests and/or diseases. Most commonly, you may experience problems with black knot fungus or silver leaf fungus. Cutting back diseased branches is the best way to stop the spread.

Cherry trees have a place in every garden

There are so many options when it comes to making your garden look beautiful but none may be as stunning as a glorious blossom tree. These trees come in so many varieties so you can choose something that allows you to express your personality. What’s more, there are lots of different sizes so even if you have a smaller garden, there’ll be a blossom tree that will fit right in.

Just make sure to choose a spot in full sun and make sure that the soil isn’t too soggy. Otherwise, these are low maintenance trees that look incredible, especially when they blossom in spring!