Spring blossom

With their clouds of uplifting spring blooms, trees like cherry, apple and pear are undeniably beautiful, but will they work in smaller plots? Yes, says Louise Curley

- Louise Curley

THERE’S nothing subtle about a fruit tree in blossom in springtime. The sight of a mass of white or pink flowers covering bare stems yet to unfurl their leaves – especially when set against a blue sky – is stop-you-in-your tracks spectacular, and a balm to the spirit after the long, dark months of winter.

A signifier of new life, spring blossom has strong associations with Japan, where the native cherry trees provide a show that draws crowds from around the globe. Japanese cherry blossom, known as sakura, is undoubtedly the showiest; but sadly many native Japanese cherries grow too vigorously for small gardens, so you’ll need to choose carefully. Small enough to be grown in a container, compact shrub Prunus ‘Kojo-no-mai’ is the safest bet.

If you really want to make the most of your space, plant a blossom tree that is productive as well as pretty. Fruiting trees such as apples, pears, plums and the more unusual quince and medlar have subtle blossom in the palest pinks and purest white, but they’re no less beautiful – and come with the added bonus of rich pickings in autumn. If you live somewhere mild – the south coast or a city in southern England, for example – you could even experiment with growing more exotic crops such as almonds and persimmon.

Flowering times

Exactly when you can expect to see blossom depends on the weather. In Japan, the season starts in tropical Okinawa in January; here, a cold spell will delay buds opening, whereas a period of unseasonably warm temperatures will encourage the flowers to open early, putting them at risk of damage by a late frost. Generally, the blossom season is over all-too quickly, but by planting early-, middle- and late-flowering trees it is possible to have months rather than weeks of flowers to look forward to. For best results, grow in a sheltered spot with some protection from wind and frost.