Are weeping flowering cherry trees a bit naff?

[MaryIsA]

I’d love a flowering cherry, but it has to be small. Already got an upright dark flowering cherry. Looking at a white weeping cherry. For front garden.

Just thinking is it a bit 70s in a non ironic way....

I really like them but know what you mean. I think the key might be to make sure you get one with a long 'trunk' bit and a well done graft. I'm thinking that the cheap ones you get at bargain shops always have a short little trunk with a big ugly graft on.

This is so funny OP I was looking for one online last night. My mum had one in her garden from my early teenage years which was planted by my mum loved grandad. I almost cried having to leave it after we sold the house after she died.

I'm going to plant a small one in the centre of my front garden to remember them both.

I think flowering cherries are useful for bees and other pollinating insects, MaryIsA. If you buy one that produces fruit (not all do), then the birds will like it too.

You could go for a native wild cherry. It won't be as spectacular but tends to be more resistant to disease and will live a bit longer:

www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/wild-cherry/

I know there is a lot of plant snobbery - e.g. the gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show - but actually walking down a street with lots of flowering cherries is lovely at this time of year.

I’ve gone a bit retro in my garden, I bought a lilac last year as we had one in our garden I was a child.
It’s not naff if you like it.

They are beautiful, I would like one for my garden

A tree can't be naff.

They are a bit suburban park, but pretty for all that. Why worry about whether they are naff?

I think people who say trees are passé are very passé.

I say this as our much loved cherry tree isn't very well and tree surgeon not hopeful it will survive. I dread to think of husband's reaction if someone says it is passé. He might be disabled but he can be pushed too far.

Someone has promised to send me photos of some apple trees I planted 50 years ago to mark birth of my first son. I'm very excited to see how it has grown.

I’ve got an amelanchier already. Just planted it last year so excited for it this year.

Also a Cornus variegata see picture. And a mountain ash.

And a lilac in a large pot, a small variety, I love lilac and am contemplating a larger one, but the6 look a bit unimpressive when not in flower.

Need more bang for my buck I think. Well I wouldn’t if I’d sold the pampas grass, gutted.

I think they need space to appreciate them, to appreciate the sweep of the branches- neighbour has one hemmed in by tall railings- doesn't look great imv

Maybe an apple tree would be fun but buy one suited to your area and not too big.

So what's the 'wrong' way to plant rose beds now? Asking for a friend with the David Austin catalogue open.

Ah, you have my favourite Cornus there op!

I’m a garden designer. Cherry trees are the height of fashion at the moment. Sakura, the Japanese cherry blossom festival is a huge influence.

My personal favourite cherry is Prunus serrula, because the bark is spectacular, so you get year round interest.

All plants look good in the right place; there is no ‘naff’ or passé. Well, except for Photinia ‘Red Robin’ perhaps...

@PintPot you can’t really go wrong with the David Austin catalogue. As a general rule, plant in groups of three and underplant with sprawling herbaceous ground cover, like Geranium Rozanne or catmint.

OOh @VenusClapTrap that's very beautiful indeed. I'll think about that for the back garden - I was thinking birch but that's beautiful bark.

Whatever you, or anyone reading this thread does, when you plant this year (especially trees)... dont forget to add your efforts to this:

www.plantbritain.co.uk/

If anyone is intrested in the programme, its on BBC iplayer too, countryfile plant Britain.

I have a Stella cherry tree in a hug pot but wonder should I plant it against our fence? I would love a lilac too. David Austin and Sarah Raven catalogues open here and holiday money to spend but really don't know what to do

I had a Stella in a pot for ages but eventually gave it to o friend who had room In their garden. It’s much happier looking now. I think it would be much happier in the ground if you can.

Love your garden...is that a pond ?

I think pink flowering cherries are naff. White is always in fashion.

I prefer a deep red or a white flowering cherry.

I lived in Japan for a couple of years and the pink flowering blossom was heavenly - planted in huge drifts its breathtaking.