About
Prunus apetala (D), the clove cherry, is a deciduous cherry producing the characteristic spreading or upright canopy with toothed, often bronze-tinted young leaves and clouds of small, petal-less flowers along the branches in spring. A rewarding and ornamental cherry for a sunny, sheltered garden.
About the genus
Prunus are deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring and, in many species, good autumn foliage colour. Some produce edible fruit in summer or autumn, and a few have ornamental bark. Among the most widely grown of all ornamental trees.
Plant details
Suggested usesSpecimen trees, avenues, borders. Outstanding spring blossom
Care notes
CultivationModerately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun
PruningPrune in midsummer to avoid silver leaf. Remove dead or crossing branches
PropagationGrafting or budding for cultivars. Some from hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceAphids, caterpillars, bullfinch damage to buds
Disease resistanceSilver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt. Prune only in dry summer weather