About

A medium-sized, umbrella-shaped, deciduous tree producing big clusters of large, aromatic, semi-double flowers that open white and age to soft pink, in mid to late spring. Foliage turns red in autumn.

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

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeTrees
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationGrow in moderately fertile soil in full sun
PruningPruning group 1. Prune in mid-summer if silver leaf is a problem
PropagationPropagate by chip budding or grafting, although softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat can be successful
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to caterpillars, leaf-mining moths and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus