Prunus Pink Cascade™ 'NCPH1'

Pink Cascade™ flowering cherry is a strongly pendulous cultivar in the Roseacea (rose) family.  A dramatic weeper with bright pink flowers, this tree was developed as a collaborative project by NC State University and J. Frank Schmidt and Son Nursery.  U.S. Plant Patent Applied for (PPAF).  This is the ultimate weeping cherry. Diminutive and fine-textured, Pink Cascade™ is a strict weeper with blazing pink flowers. Train it up as high as desired and let the branches weep down in graceful cascades.   Nomenclature on this tree is a bit confusing because many weeping cherries are still incorrectly sold as cultivars of Prunus x subhirtella.

The height of this cultivar is defined mostly by cultivation techniques such as top grafting onto a tall standard or stake training to a tall stake or post.  On its own Pink Cascade™ will most likely never reach 20 feet in height, being more likely to grow along the ground without training or top grafting. With its pendulous nature it can get a bit wider over time, 20 feet in diameter being the maximum for a very mature specimen left to its own devices. To maintain the desired weeping pendulous form, remove all stems that grow vertically.   Pink Cascade™ is relatively long lived for a flowering cherry.

This tree has year-round interest. In late winter and early spring it is simply covered in showy pink blooms, moving into summer its weeping form and bright green leaves seem to cools the air as it sways in even the lightest breeze. Fall brings red and yellow and after the leaves have fallen, its drooping bare branches lend a sculptural grace to the winter landscape.

Best grown in moist, fertile, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade with the most prolific flowering occurring in full sun locations. While it tolerates heat and clay soils, avoid dry soils. 

Great as a small patio or specimen tree. Be creative, drape it over a wall, make an archway, or create an espalier dragon with a pink mane! 

Seasons of Interest:

      Foliage: Spring, summer Bloom: Late winter, early Spring  Twigs/Bark: Winter

Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: Ornamental cherries are generally considered to have good disease resistance. However, like all cherries, they could be susceptible to a large number of insect and disease problems depending upon growth conditions. Potential insects include aphids, scale, borers, leafhoppers, caterpillars, tent caterpillars, and Japanese beetles. Spider mites may also be troublesome. Potential diseases include cankers, black knot, leaf spot, die back, leaf curl, powdery mildew, root rot, and fire blight. This plant is often browsed by deer.