Want spring & autumn colour? Pick a cherry tree
Cherries are attractive and versatile trees, giving delightful spring colour when they are in full blossom and, in many cases, outstanding autumn colour as well. Here, Colin Crosbie, Curator of RHS Garden Wisley, recommends some that are suitable for smaller gardens.
Colin's favourite flowering cherry trees
Prunus 'Kursar' AGM
This beautiful small tree was raised by Captain Collingwood Ingram who was affectionately known as 'Cherry Ingram' because of his lifelong interest in flowering cherries, especially Japanese cherries. He was responsible for breeding many cherries grown at Wisley and for reintroducing Prunus 'Taihaku' to Japan after finding a plant growing in Sussex. Prunus 'Kursar' is one of the best plants he raised and has masses of small deep pink flowers and fantastic autumn colour.
Prunus incisa 'The Bride'
In spring this small cherry, which has a dense shrubby growth habit, is smothered with large single white flowers. The anthers of the flowers are vibrant red which stands out well against the white petals.
Prunus 'Shogetsu' AGM
This is one of the finest Japanese cherries and has a wide spreading growth habit. Its large double pink flowers hang from the branches in clusters providing a breathtaking display. The double pink flowers quickly fade to a beautiful pure white.
Prunus 'Accolade' AGM
During April this tree is covered in masses of large light pink semi-double flowers. It will also add value to your garden during the autumn when its green leaves turn a vivid rich orange/red colour. This cherry has a spreading growth habit.
Prunus incisa 'Kojo-no-mai'
This delightful small cherry is very slow growing and compact, making it suitable for growing in containers. Its branches have a fascinating zigzag growth habit and these are covered in small, blush pink flowers. In autumn this cherry will reward you with great foliage colour.
Prunus 'Pink Perfection' AGM
This charming cherry has bright, double pink flowers which hang in drooping clusters from the branches. The leaves are a delicate bronze colour when young, before turning green and then a bright fiery red and orange in the autumn.
More cherries for small gardens
We asked a few RHS Partner Gardens to pick their favourite cherry trees as well.
Prunus x subhirtella 'Fukubana'
Claire Birch, owner of Doddington Hall in Lincolnshire, recommends Prunus x subhirtella ‘Fukubana’, which produces bright, semi-double rose pink flowers in April. ‘This is an elegant miniature tree to about 3m (10ft) that will fit into a small space and give it scale.’ Claire also suggests Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis' (winter-flowering cherry). ‘This is a real harbinger of spring that will repeat flower in any mild spell between January and March,’ says Claire. ‘It makes an elegant small tree of about 6-7m (20+ft) with an open branches casting light shade. The single white flowers have pink centres and the bark is dark brown and shiny.’
Prunus incisa ‘Fujima’
This is an excellent choice for small to medium gardens, says Matthew Hall, Head Gardener at Batsford Arboretum in Gloucestershire. ‘This shrubby-crowned small tree is smothered in masses of pink-tinged flower buds, followed by stunning white flowers,’ says Matthew. ‘It is very free-flowering, quick to establish and adaptable – in the arboretum we grow it on heavy clay.’ The cultivar also offers good autumn colour. Batsford is home to a large collection of Japanese cherry trees and holds an annual cherry week.
Prunus 'Spire' AGM
Tom La Dell, landscape architect and Trustee of Brogdale Farm in Kent (home of the National Fruit Collection), says Prunus ‘Spire’ is a fine choice for a small garden. ‘This cultivar is no more than 2m (7ft) wide when it is 20 years old. It has an upright crown meaning it will fit into the smallest space and give height or screen a view. Pale pink blossom covers the tree in spring and the autumn leaf colour is orange to yellow.’
Tom has a general word of warning when purchasing cherries: ‘Ornamental cherries budded on to wild cherry rootstocks have large root systems. Trees on their own roots have much smaller root systems that are better for smaller gardens.’