About
A vigorous, bulbous perennial from Spain, Portugal, and northwest Africa with narrow, lance-shaped, fresh green leaves emerging in autumn and tall, branched stems bearing two large, standard iris-shaped flowers in shades of pale to deep blue, violet, or occasionally white and yellow, in late spring. A graceful and long-lived bulb for a well-drained, sunny border.
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
AspectEast-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitColumnar upright, Spreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
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 resistanceMay be susceptible to cherry blackfly and other aphids, leaf-mining moths and caterpillars
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to bacterial canker, blossom wilt and silver leaf. This variety may also be susceptible to brown rot