For many people the first sign that spring is on the way is the sight of the first blossom on trees.  Many wonder which tree it is that blossoms so early. It can often appear in hedgerows or scrubby corners and be confused with the native hedgerow shrub Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa.

It is in fact Prunus cerasifera, also known as the Cherry plum or Myrobalan  which is a species of plum native to central and Eastern Europe, southwest and central Asia, though the true wild species may be Prunus divaricata.

It is a large shrub or small tree reaching 6-15 m tall, with deciduous leaves 4-6 cm long. It is one of the first European trees to flower in spring, often starting in mid February; the flowers are white, 1.5-2 cm across, with five petals. The fruit is a drupe 2-3 cm in diameter and yellow or red colour; it is edible, and reaches maturity from early-July to mid-September.

The reason it is so common may be because it is a standard root stock for most fruiting plums.  When the top of a plum tree dies, sprouts arise from the root and take the place of the original tree.

The commonest cultivars have been selected for purple foliage and pink flowers and known generally as Purple leaved Plum, such as Prunus cerasifera ’Pissardii Nigra’, a handsome form with purple leaves and dark wine-red fruit. Introduced into France by Pissard, gardener to the Shah of Persia. It is a cultural form of Prunus cerasifera and is one of the best of all small purple-leaved trees.

As always comments and questions are always welcome.

Simon