PLANT OF THE WEEK
PRUNUS MUME ‘BENI-CHIDORI’
Credit: postalplants.co.uk
Also tall and white, but with a delicate pink flush at its centre is ‘Blushing Bride.’
Both would be beautiful paired with ‘Bonanza,’ with vibrant rich pink petals.
‘Indian Summer’ is a cheerful orange and red with attractive bronze foliage growing to around 60cm.
To fill small pots and containers, dwarf varieties, such as ‘Princess Lilian,’ a beautiful lavender lilac, will stay compact at 20cm in height.
During the growing season, treat them to a monthly liquid feed high in potash to encourage flower development.
If you are cutting for indoor use, don’t cut the flower stem, tug it gently from the base. This action helps stimulate further flower stems.
You can propagate either by seed, which can be a frustrating process as germination can be poor, or lift and divide in spring, but be careful as the roots are quite brittle.
For further information or to purchase from Viv, phone 01939 291475 or email mail@postalplants.co.uk. View national collection by appointment only. One of the first fruit blossoms to grace our gardens is the Japanese apricot, also known as plum blossom.
In Asian culture, they are one of the Three Friends of Winter, the other two being bamboo and pine – plants that stand firm through winter – and symbolise steadfastness and perseverance.
The best variety for your garden is Beni-chidori, a compact shape that is suitable for smaller spaces and is covered in rich pink blooms on naked stems in February.
What’s really great is the sweet fragrance from these round blossoms – a mid-winter delight. Plant in full sun or partial shade in most soils that are moist but well-drained.
Ideal also as a container plant on a patio or balcony. Credit: ornamental-trees.co.uk