The spring blossom on the trees here at Arundel Arboretum continues to look amazing. Shades of delicate pink and white are a blaze along our Malus (crab apple) and Prunus (ornamental cherry) lines. The display of blossom may be short-lived, but choosing the right tree for your garden, whatever the size, can bring a whole host of benefits to your planting scheme, including height, spring and autumn colour and autumn fruits too – just right for wildlife.
Ornamental cherries are arguably one of the nation’s favourite spring trees. Their blossom starts to appear in early March and should continue into May, depending upon the variety and whether late frosts damage the blossom. There is a vast variety to choose from.
We have a good selection of trees for spring blossom in stock now, and you could consider the following:
Malus x moerlandsii ‘Profusion’
Malus x moerlandsii ‘Profusion’ is a small-medium size deciduous, spreading Crab apple with coppery young foliage which turns bronze-green in the autumn. Malus x moerlandsii ‘Profusion’ has dark purple-pink flowers in late spring. These are followed by reddish-purple fruits in autumn. It tolerates pollution well and is, therefore, suitable for rural and urban gardens. It has an eventual height of 8-12m and spread of 8m+.
Malus x robusta ‘Red Sentinel’
Malus x robusta ‘Red Sentinel’ is a medium-sized deciduous tree. It produces fragrant, single white flowers in spring, that are followed in the autumn with clusters of cherry-like deep red glossy fruits that last well into the winter. Malus x robusta ‘Red Sentinel’ can be positioned in full sun or partial shade, in either a sheltered or exposed spot. It prefers a moist, well-drained soil and has an eventual height of 4-8m and spread of 4-8m after 10-20 years.
Malus ‘White Star’
Malus ‘White Star’ is a medium sized deciduous tree, with an upright spreading habit and fast growth rate. In spring, it produces masses of white, star-shaped flowers. In autumn, medium-sized golden, russet crab apples appear which can stay on the tree until early winter, so it is a good source of food for wildlife. It can reach 3-5m after 10 years.
Prunus ‘Kanzan’
Prunus ‘Kanzan’ is a medium sized deciduous tree, with a broadly vase-shaped habit when young, but taking on a more spreading habit as the tree matures. In spring large, purplish-pink double flowers appear which open from crimson buds. The bronze young foliage turns green in the summer. Prunus ‘Kanzan’ can be planted in full sun in either a sheltered or exposed position. It prefers a moist, well-drained soil and has an eventual height of 8-12m and a spread of 8m+.
Prunus ‘Pandora’
Prunus ‘Pandora’ is a small deciduous tree with a broadly vase-shaped canopy and upright habit. Single, very pale pink flowers appear in spring followed by green leaves, which turn pale yellow in the autumn. The young bark is a radiant brown. Prunus ‘Pandora’ has an eventual height of 8-12m and a spread of 4-8m. It prefers a moist, well-drained soil and can be planted in full sun in either a sheltered or exposed position.
Prunus Shimidsu Sakura ‘Blushing Bride’
Prunus Shimidsu Sakura ‘Blushing Bride’ is a Japanese flowering cherry with an elegant spreading habit. Large double, delicate flowers hang down in large bunches in April-May. They open pink and fade to a bright white as the season progresses. Prunus Shimidsu Sakura ‘Blushing Bride’ is pollutant tolerant and is, therefore, good for urban areas. The green foliage turns orange and red in the autumn. Prunus Shimidsu Sakura ‘Blushing Bride’ cannot tolerate wet or shallow chalky soils.
Other varieties to consider for spring blossom include Amelanchier, Crataegus, magnolias and Camellia. We also have the clematis that looks amazing.
We hope you will be able to visit us soon to appreciate how our spring blossom stock is looking. You will not be disappointed! Our staff is always available to give you the best possible advice for the best spring blossom trees for your garden.
