About
A wide-spreading tree with oblong, dark green leaves, bronzed in spring, red and yellow in autumn. In mid- to late spring bears a profusion of single, white, cup-shaped flowers in small clusters, followed by small, dark red, cherry-like fruit.
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
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, Wildlife gardens
Native toJapan
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun
PruningPruning group 1; prune in mid-summer to reduce risk of silver leaf infection
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in containers outdoors in autumn, or by softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to caterpillars and leaf-mining moths
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to silver leaf, bacterial canker and blossom wilt. High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa