About
An upright, rounded, twiggy, deciduous tree producing small, white flowers in early spring as the leaves open, sometimes followed by edible, red, orange or yellow, plum-like fruit about 2.5cm long.
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
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, North-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toSE Europe SW Asia
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 resistanceCan suffer from aphids, including plum aphid and caterpillars
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus. High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa