Cherry blossom is a sight to behold

Flowering cherries (prunus) are arguably the strongest contenders for plant of the month, even though weather conditions dictate how long the period in bloom lasts.

They’re hardy perennials that come in tree or bush form, vary in height and habit, also flower at different times throughout spring.

They can be propagated in various ways: Species from seed, deciduous and evergreen types from cuttings, softwood and semi-ripe respectively, budding and grafting in spring and summer. They are generally grafted onto a suitable rootstock.

Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’ is one that this gardener absolutely adores. It starts flowering in November after leaf-fall and continues throughout winter despite the weather, bouncing back after a serious frost, until April arrives. It’s currently having a ‘last hurrah’ of the season covered in bloom. The specimen in this garden has a trunk with a circumference of 110cm and a circled pattern.

Although safe bare-rooted planting time has passed, a container-grown specimen could go in now.

Several flowering cherries are just coming into bloom and they’re available in a range of heights and forms, from upright (fastigiate) to bushy, and weeping.

‘Cheals’ Weeping’ (‘Kiku – shidare – zakura’) in full double pink bloom, is a sight to behold. ‘Amanogawa’ (pale-pink, semi-double flowers) has an upright habit and is ideal where space is limited. ‘The Bride’ is a bush forming specimen that flowers throughout April, and in keeping with many flowering cherries, there is an almond fragrance.

Most spectacular display by far is the ‘Taihaku’ (great white cherry) Orchard in The Alnwick Garden. The canopies of circa 320 specimens are almost joining overhead, making a walk through the winding downhill paths a must do experience. The suspense is building as this spectacle is about the unfold.