 |
I am fond of Prunus spinosa, however much I hate it. I like it, but I don't want to have it anywhere around me. It's pretty in the hedges and that is enough.
The purple leaved form is another matter. I think it is wonderful. I bought my plant from Macpennys in Bransgore in the 1980's and although it has had mixed fortunes over the years,
I have it still and I would miss it if I lost it. To start with I planted it in a hedge near to the house to act as a windbreak. I planted a number of Larch trees as well
and they rapidly overtook the Prunus. I saved a sucker before it died out and kept it potted for a decade. It has now been planted in the top half of the garden where it can grow into a specimen.
I am hoping that with careful pruning it will form a reasonable trunk and become a small tree rather then a prickly thicket. It has room to allow for either eventuality.
The flowers are flushed with pink and so far it hasn't produced them very freely, but it is a very welcome shrub. Trees and Shrubs Online says: "Leaves a beautiful red when young, becoming purple; flowers pink. Sent out by Barbier & co., of Orleans, in 1903." |
|
| 16th May 2014 | ||
