Facts About Weeping Peach Trees

Beautiful pink flowers are one reason to plant a weeping peach.

Over the years, weeping trees have undergone extensive development and landscape implementation. Their natural ability to retain a small size and distinctive form makes them a favorite for many gardeners and landscapers. Add beautiful pink spring blossoms to the mix, and you have the basics of a weeping peach tree. With several cultivars commercially available, the weeping peach will make an elegant statement in any landscape.

Basics

Weeping peach trees do not actually grow edible peaches, and if the plant grows any fruit, it will be small or inconspicuous. This makes it suitable for plantings near houses, or in other height-constrained areas. However, the most pertinent aspect of this plant is its showy bloom, which comes out in late winter to early spring.

Care

One of the most important care aspects of weeping peach is proper location. Protect the plant from fierce winds or harsh snow that can damage its branches. In addition, weeping peach trees do best in hot, full-sun climates. They prefer a slightly acidic soil and sandy loam to slightly clay soil that is moist and drains well. These plants sometimes require supplemental watering during the dry parts of the growing season. Lastly, pruning this tree is necessary for a showy flower display the following spring.

Types

Plants are described first by genus and then by species and, if different varieties of the same species are available, by cultivar. Prunus persica 'Windle Weeping' is a popular cultivar of weeping peach that features double pink flowers. Other types include P. subhirtella pendula, a pale pink flowering variety; P. subhirtella pendula rubra, a deeper pink, almost red, flowering cultivar; and P. yedoensis perpendens, a pink-flowering variety with a weeping form.

Downfalls

Despite the uniqueness and beauty of the weeping peach, they do have several downfalls. First, heavy pruning is required for a showy flower. Secondly, because the flower blooms so early, it can be susceptible to frost damage in colder climates. Additionally, areas with cool, rainy springs have been known to negatively affect weeping peaches' flower production and pollination.

Price

Although not terribly expensive, weeping peaches do generally cost more than their non-weeping cousins. Most gardeners and landscapers should be able to secure a 3- to 4- foot specimen for around $20 to $30, with the total planting cost typically around $50.

References

• backyardgardener.com: Prunus (Weeping Double Pink Flowering Peach)
• Plantideas.com: Weeping Trees
• Stark's Bro's Nursery: Pink Cascade Weeping Peach Product Information