Plant of the Month: January

Prunus x subhirtella 'Autumnalis' Common name: Higan cherry, rosebud cherry, winter cherry Family: Rosaceae Vital statistics Height and spread: 8m by 8m (25ft) Form: Spreading, deciduous tree Soil: moist, well drained soil; tolerates heat and clay soil Aspect: Sun to partial shade Hardiness: Hardy throughout the British Isles.

Prunus x subhirtella 'Autumnalis' @ Hyde Hall

Situated in Hermiones Garden, a shady dell on the northern side of the Hilltop Garden. 

Prunus

The genus Prunus comprises over 200 species of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs. They originate from northern temperate regions, the Andes in South America, and the mountains of south east Asia. They are often found in woodlands and thickets, but some are found in coastal, sandy or rocky habitats.

Notably, members of this genus are grown for their edible fruits including P. domestica, the plum, P. dulcis, the almond and P. persica the peach.

The ornamental cherries include numerous species and cultivars of Prunus that are grown for their white, pink or red flowers. These are saucer, bowl or cup-shaped, with 5 petals, although doubles and semi-doubles have more. The flowers are usually followed by spherical, fleshy but inedible fruits.

Some Prunus species are cultivated for their shiny, colourful bark, such as P. serrula and P. maackii, and some for their autumn leaf colour, like P. sargentii.

Prunus x subhirtella 'Autumnalis'

The deciduous ornamental cherry Prunus x subhirtella (P. incisa x P. pendula) gets its name from the Latin subhirtella meaning 'somewhat hairy'. The cultivar name 'Autumnalis' is directly from the Latin autumnalis meaning 'of autumn', which is its time of flowering, although it generally flowers intermittently between autumn and spring. The flowers are deep pink in bud, hence the common name of rosebud cherry, and open as semi-double, white with a pink tinge, about 2cm (0.75in) across. 'Autumnalis Rosea' is very similar, but with fully pink flowers.

The flowers are sometimes followed by fruits that are about 1-1.5cm (0.5in) in diameter, spherical and red, ripening to black. They are not edible to humans, but do attract attention from birds.

The leaves are toothed and long, bronze when young and turn yellow before they fall in autumn.

AGM

The RHS Floral B Committee awarded Prunus x subhirtella 'Autumnalis' an Award of Garden Merit and described it as: Elegant, small, spreading deciduous tree with ovate leaves turning yellow in autumn. Semi-double white or pale pink flowers 1.5cm wide.

Cultivation

Ornamental cherries are not often long lived, but Prunus x subhirtella is one of the most tolerant types. It likes to be grown in sun, in moist but well drained, fairly fertile soil.

It makes a good specimen tree, is often found planted along entrance roads to commercial developments, and in residential areas. It is suitable for an average sized garden and is useful because of its flowering times.

All pruning should be kept to a minimum, and formative pruning should be restricted to shaping young trees. Deadwood should be removed in mid summer, and trunks should be kept clear of sprouting shoots.

Ornamental cherries are prone to damage from aphids, caterpillars and bullfinches. Silver leaf, honey fungus and blossom wilt can be problematic.

Propagation

Greenwood cuttings can be rooted in early summer. Bud cultivars in summer or graft in early spring.