Weeping katsura Tree

Common name: Weeping katsura tree

* Botanical name: Cercidiphyllum japonicum f. pendulum

* What it is: A slow-growing, deciduous tree with an elegant weeping habit and blue-tinted green, heart-shaped leaves that turn yellow in fall.

* Size: 20-25 feet tall and 12-15 feet wide in 15-20 years.

* Where to use: Superb specimen tree for a front yard, centered out a key window in the back yard or as an anchor plant in any corner of the yard. Also nice next to a pond or at least 8 to 10 off the corner of a patio. Full sun to light shade.

* Care: Scatter organic granular fertilizer such as Tree-tone or Plant-tone under the canopy in March. Keep the roots consistently damp the first 3 or 4 seasons, then soak deeply once a week if the weather is hot and dry. Prune off any branches that attempt to grow straight up, and shorten any too-long branches to maintain a pleasing shape. Usually, little to no pruning needed.

* Great partner: Underplant with barrenwort or sweetbox.