Prunus cerasifera Trailblazer - Cherry Plum

Prunus cerasifera 'Trailblazer' is a hybrid variety of myrobalan plum also known as Cherry plum due to its fruiting. This exceptional ornamental tree stands out for its dark purple-brown summer foliage, its early white flowering, and its large, elongated, dark red, edible and tasty fruits, resembling giant cherries, which ripen in summer. It can be planted as a specimen tree, in an informal hedge, or at the back of a border.

Prunus cerasifera, sometimes called flowering plum, is native to Asia Minor and the Caucasus, but it has naturalised in gardens and parks throughout Europe. It belongs to the large Rosaceae family, just like plums and mirabelles. It is a vigorous and robust tree that is often used as a rootstock for many varieties of plum or cherry trees. This wild species is the origin of numerous ornamental cultivars.
The 'Trailblazer' variety is a probable hybrid between Prunus 'Pissardii' and a Japanese plum 'Duarte', and it was introduced to the horticultural market by L.L. Brooks of Modesto, California in 1936. It is a deciduous tree with moderate development, reaching an average height of 6m and a width of 2.50m. It develops one or several covered trunks and a rounded, open, and spreading crown. Flowering occurs in March-April, earlier or later depending on the region. The floral buds are light pink. They open into single flowers, hanging from short peduncles, with 5 white petals arranged around numerous golden stamens. They bloom into 2cm diameter corollas. The slightly fragrant and nectar-rich flowers are followed by unusual, edible fruits. They are elongated, resembling giant cherries, pointed at the bottom, and measure 4 to 5cm. They ripen from July, or even early September depending on the climate. At that time, they are a beautiful dark red. Their flesh, also red, is a sweet and juicy delight! They resemble the fruits of the Japanese plum 'Satsuma'.

The deciduous foliage of the 'Trailblazer' plum tree is composed of alternate, widely oval, elliptical, 2 to 7cm long leaves, with toothed margins. When they burst, they are dark green. Then, they gradually turn bronze and then reddish-brown and retain their colour until the end of the season. These leaves have small hairs under the veins.

Prunus 'Trailblazer' or 'Hollywood' combines qualities. It can be grown in many regions but dislikes compact and clayey soils or arid conditions. It is irresistable with its attractive silhouette, colourful foliage, early flowering, and large appetising fruits. It can be planted as a standalone specimen, in a hedgerow, in an orchard, or in a large shrub border. To accompany it, opt for small trees that thrive in limestone soil. Amelanchier lamarckii (Lamarck's Serviceberry) produces beautiful white flowers in spring and edible berries in summer, with spectacular autumn foliage. Crataegus laevigata 'Crimson Cloud' (Hawthorn) offers magnificent red flowering in spring and red berries in autumn. Sorbus aria (Whitebeam) also has white flowers in spring followed by red berries, with interesting silver-green foliage. Finally, Cercis siliquastrum (Judas Tree) is ideal for limestone soils, adorned with spectacular pink flowers directly on the trunk and branches in spring, followed by green foliage in summer.

The fruits can be eaten as they are or used to make delicious jellies and jams.