plant new blossom trees

June sees the arrival of bare-rooted fruit and blossom trees. These have been grown in the ground, then dug out and shipped after they’ve gone into winter dormancy. With this method, you get a good-sized tree at great value. Flowering blossom trees, such as crabapple (right) and ornamental prunus, peach, apricot and cherry, make a wonderful spring show and provide shade in smaller gardens. Bare-rooted trees may be found in nurseries with their roots wrapped in plastic, or mail-order trees may come packaged in straw and paper. Either way, make sure the roots don’t dry out while you prepare the planting hole. Dig plenty of old compost into the hole and ensure there’s a generous amount of room for the roots. Discard the packaging, wash the roots, then spread the roots over a mound in the centre of the hole. Fill with good soil, water well, and mulch. Stake if necessary in the early stages.