About
This broadly-upright, deciduous tree with oval, red-purple leaves. Bowl-shaped, white or pale pink flowers are produced before the leaves in mid-spring, and sometimes followed by edible, plum-like, 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
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens, Cottage and informal garden
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 resistanceCan suffer from aphids, including plum aphid and caterpillars
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to pocket plum, silver leaf, bacterial canker and blossom wilt