Prunus avium

  • Other common names wild cherry
    gean
    bird cherry
    Cheshire merry tree
    crab cherry
    hagberry
    mazzard
    merry tree
    Suffolk merries
    sweet cherry
  • Family Rosaceae
  • Genus Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
  • Details P. avium is a medium-sized deciduous tree with nodding clusters of pure white flowers 2.5cm wide in late spring, followed by small, shiny red-purple cherries; leaves turn orange and red in autumn
  • Plant range Europe to Asia Minor, Caucasus, W Siberia
Category:

Description

How to grow

Cultivation Grow in moderately fertile soil in full sun

Propagation Propagate by chip budding or grafting, although softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat can be successful. Can be propagated by seed – see trees and shrubs from seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types Flower borders and beds Cottage & Informal Garden

How to care

Pruning Pruning group 1. Prune in mid-summer if silver leaf is a problem

Pests May get aphids, caterpillars, leaf-mining moths and bullfinches

Diseases May be affected by silver leaf, bacterial canker and blossom wilt