Romeo and Juliet™ Dwarf Cherry Bush

1. Planting: Choose a sunny spot that will give your bushes a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Although they will thrive in almost any kind of soil, avoid locations where the soil will remain soggy for prolonged lengths of time - choose an area with well-drained soil.

Please Note: These plants share the same pot while they’re growing in our nursery. While this is ok when the plants are young, we highly suggest separating them when they arrive to your home. To do this, simply separate the roots with your fingers, using the trunks to guide you, before planting them. This will ensure they get properly established in their new home.

When you're ready to plant, dig two holes as deep as the root ball and about three times the width. Then, place your bushes, backfill the soil and water to settle the roots. Finally, spread a layer of mulch over the surrounding soil to preserve moisture.

2. Watering: For the first week, water your bushes daily. In the second week, switch to every other day, then reduce to once a week after the first month. Check the soil often during hot weather—your bushes may need extra water. In heavy soils, let the soil dry between waterings. Once established (after one to two years), the bushes can usually rely on rainfall, needing only a few inches every 10 days. During hot, dry periods, add extra water as needed. The best method is to use a slow-trickling hose at the base for about 30 seconds once a week. If you’re unsure, check the soil 2–3 inches down; if it’s dry, it’s time to water.

3. Pruning: A year after planting your bushes, prune during winter. Shape the bushes to encourage horizontal branch growth with space between branches. And prune once a year as necessary to remove weak or drooping branches.

4. Fertilizing: Fertilize in the spring and mid-summer using nitrogen fertilizer twice annually, applying two weeks after planting and four weeks after the first application. Use a complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10 and follow the label instructions.