Prunus prostrata — Bushy

Overview

Prunus prostrata is a bushy tree in the genus Prunus, part of the Rosaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Prunus prostrata grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens and flower borders and beds.

About

It grows as tall as 1 m., more typically 0.15-0.30 m., sometimes in the crevices of vertical surfaces. Flowering patches of the plant on the rocky slopes, sometimes still snow-clad, are striking to climbers. The bark is reddish brown. The leaves are ovate, with serrate margins, tomentose with white down on undersurface, glabrous above. In the wild it grows across Albania, Algeria, Corse, East Aegean Is., France and other regions. Grow it in full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7). It works well for city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens and flower borders and beds. It tolerates neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing aspects.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Prunus prostrata

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Prunus

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Sandy, Loamy, Clay
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained
Aspect: South-facing
Exposure: Exposed
UK hardiness: H7

Plant details

Prunus prostrata size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Tree
Habit: Bushy
Foliage: Deciduous
Suggested uses: City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Prunus prostrata

Propagation: Softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat
Pest resistance: Cherry blackfly, Aphids, Leaf-mining moths, Caterpillars
Disease resistance: Peach leaf curl, Silver leaf, Bacterial canker, Blossom wilt, Honey fungus

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Prunus prostrata?

Prunus prostrata prefers full sun. It suits exposed positions.

What soil does Prunus prostrata need?

Prunus prostrata is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including sandy, loamy and clay. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.

Is Prunus prostrata hardy in the UK?

Prunus prostrata has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.

How do I propagate Prunus prostrata?

Softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat.

More in the Prunus genus

Browse all Prunus →