About

A small, deciduous tree of spreading habit, with ascending main branches and pale, bronze-green young foliage. Clusters of round, double, shell-pink flowers appear on pendulous long stalks in mid spring.

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
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeTrees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow in any moist but well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun
PruningPruning group 1 in midsummer, so as to reduce the risk of silver leaf
PropagationPropagate by greenwood cuttings in early summer, chip budding in summer or grafting in early spring
Pest resistanceAphids and caterpillars may be a nuisance
Disease resistanceSusceptible to silver leaf, honey fungus, blossom wilt and bacterial canker