Winter-flowering Cherries

Why wait for spring to enjoy the uplifting sight of cherry blossom? Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’ provides clouds of blooms to warm the winter months, says Graham Clarke

-  Graham Clarke

FLOWERING cherries are one of spring’s highlights. They really go for broke with their big bunches of blowsy flowers that smother a tree; and when these drop, the spectacular confetti-like clouds they create are legendary – they have inspired poets and composers, and are celebrated at festivals around the world.

However, I prefer their lesser-known winter-flowering cousin, Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’, which provides a steady supply of beautiful blossom at this chilly time of year. When everything else in the garden is in a deep slumber, its flowers are an unforgettable spectacle.

‘Autumnalis’ refers to the start of its flower display, with blooms appearing just as the peach-orange colour from the autumn foliage comes to a close – something to look forward to when the clocks go back every October. Although more understated than those of its flouncier spring cousins, the flowers continue on and off during the mild periods of winter. Reserves of buds keep the show going and, astonishingly, this can carry on right through to March.

The Prunus x subhirtella species is Japanese, and while it has been added to over the centuries, most of its offspring are spring-flowerers – ‘Autumnalis’ and ‘Autumnalisa’ are the only two w ter bloomers, the l tter bearing markedly more pink flowers.