About
A compact, tufted perennial to about 20cm from rocky, limestone habitats in southwestern Europe with small, greygreen, oval, slightly hairy leaves and clusters of two to three, bowl-shaped, soft lilac-pink flowers with darker purple veins and occasional black basal markings, in early summer. A choice, long-flowering rock garden perennial.
About the genus
Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
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