About
Praecox' is a small, bushy deciduous tree with strongly toothed, ovate leaves turning red and orange in autumn, and pink buds opening to white flowers in late winter, followed by deep purple fruits.
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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any moist but well-drained soil. Makes an excellent specimen tree
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars and bullfinches
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus