Prunus Subhirtella Autumnalis

Prunus Subhirtella Autumnalis or Winter Flowering Cherry is true to its name. It will blossom through the winter months, bringing its delicate beauty to a season when not many other flowers are about. It is well worth adding to your garden for this unique gift.

A hybrid cultivar from Japan which has been grown in the UK since the beginning of the 20th century, Prunus Subhirtella Autumnalis can start blooming in November, and will continue to do so throughout the winter when the temperature warms up a bit, before blossoming more profusely in March. Its blossoms start as pink buds, opening to white, semi-double blooms growing in small drooping clusters. The flowers turn a pale pink as they fade. When the leaves emerge they are a bronze colour, changing to green through the spring and summer, before turning yellow and bronze in the autumn, with tiny berries that will attract birds to your garden.
 
The Winter Flowering Cherry is reliably hardy throughout the UK. It will reach its full height and spread of 4-8 metres in 10 to 20 years. Prunus subhirtella autumnalis will need little or no pruning to maintain its graceful, spreading shape, making it an excellent low-maintenance choice for your garden. 

Prunus subhirtella autumnalis will adapt well to a variety of growing conditions. Plant it in full sun, in an exposed or sheltered position, in any soil type or ph range, as long as it is fertile and moist but well-drained. Winter flowering cherry is tolerant of pollution and so is a good selection for an urban garden.  You will want to plant your winter flowering cherry where you can appreciate its winter blooms easily. It is a perfect tree for a small front garden, where passers-by and residents will be able to enjoy its welcome winter beauty. In a back garden, Prunus Subhirtella Autumnalis will provide its winter show, and then fade into the background for the spring and summer, not casting too much shade for seasonal plants before its autumn foliage again takes centre stage. You can even train a clematis plant up through the branches for summer colour!

Prunus subhirtella autumnalis can bring a welcome hint of spring to a gloomy winter day, making it a great choice for UK gardens. Whether you have a small urban property or a rambling country garden, you will be able to find a spot where this unique winter flowering cherry will fit right in!