About

A small shrub to 1.5m with slender, wiry branches and mid-green, lance-shaped leaves. Produces small, single, pink or white flowers in mid-spring occasionally followed by small, sour, dark red 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, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

CultivationGrow in any moist but well-drained, moderately fertile soil preferably in full sun
PruningPruning group 5
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in containers outdoors in autumn, by softwood cuttings, with bottom heat, in early summer or by layering
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids 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