RHS Garden Wisley

Plant of the Month: February

Prunus dulcis 'Macrocarpa' @ Wisley

You can find this pretty tree immediately to the right of the Glasshouse Borders (formerly Piet Oudolf borders) when facing the new Bicentenary Glasshouse. Nearby is another cultivar, P. dulcis 'Titan'.

Prunus

Prunus is the Latin name for plum or cherry. This genus of over 200 species of deciduous or evergreen shrubs or trees is widely distributed in northern temperate regions and south to the mountains of S E Asia and the Andes in South America. It is usually found in woodland and in some other habitats including cliffs and coastal sands.

They are grown mainly for their flowers and autumn colour, also sometimes for their interesting bark and fruit. All Prunus have alternate, oval to oblong leaves which are usually toothed. The flowers are white, pink or sometimes red, saucer-, bowl- or cup-shaped with five petals (more in the double or semi-double forms). Spherical or ovoid fruits usually follow the flowers, some of which are edible. However, leaves and fruits of most species may cause discomfort if ingested. They make excellent specimen trees and many are suitable for small gardens. Some species are suitable for hedging.

Prunus dulcis

This species is deciduous, with upright, spreading branches and dark green, lance-shaped leaves which are finely toothed and up to 12cm (5in) long. The pink or white flowers are bowl-shaped, up to 5cm (2in) across and occur singly or in pairs on bare shoots in early spring. Velvety green, oval fruit, 6cm (2.5in) long, follow the flowers and contain an edible nut, the almond. The name dulcis means 'sweet', in reference to the sweet nut.

Prunus dulcis 'Macrocarpa'

This cultivar has white or very pale pink flowers, up to 5cm (2in) across. It is one of the best edible cultivars, but is not often cultivated in Britain, as most Prunus in Britain are cultivated for their flowers.

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun.

Pruning, if needed, should be done in mid-spring to remove shoots that spoil symmetry or dead and damaged growth.

Susceptible to damage from aphids, caterpillars and bullfinches. Peach leaf curl, silver leaf, honey fungus, blossom wilt and Taphrina weisneri (causing over-crowded shoots called witches' brooms) may also be a problem.

Propagation

Sow seed of species in containers outdoors in autumn.

Root greenwood cuttings in early summer.

Bud in summer or graft in early spring.