Prunus The Bride

Prunus 'The Bride' is a particularly floriferous Japanese flowering cherry tree. In March-April, it is covered in a profusion of small white flowers, greatly appreciated by bees. These gradually give way to new foliage, which covers the tree with beautiful bright green leaves. When autumn arrives, this Prunus shines again in the garden, ablaze with red-orange colours. Thriving in most soils, easy to grow in sunny locations and very hardy, this variety is a pure delight in the garden.

Flowering cherries are members of the large Rosaceae family, which includes both ornamental species (such as Roses, Cotoneaster, Pyracantha, Kerria...) and most of our fruit trees (Apple trees, Pear trees, Cherry trees, Peach trees...) as well as wild species found in our countryside. The genus Prunus is very extensive, with over 200 species, including fruit trees and especially ornamental trees, some of which are among the most beautiful flowering trees in our gardens. Flowering cherries are part of this group and are revered in Japan, where festivals are dedicated to them. The Bride is sometimes presented as a variety of Prunus incisa, a Japanese species with abundant white-pink flowers, found spontaneously on the slopes of Mount Fuji. This variety comes from a selection made by Harry van Trier from a seedling of Prunus 'Pandora', a flowering cherry tree, itself resulting from the cross-breeding of Prunus subhirtella 'Rosea' with Prunus yedoensis. The Bride comes from the famous Kalmthout Arboretum in Belgium, which introduced it in 1989.

Being of relatively slow growth, this small tree initially has a somewhat spherical habit, but spreads over time to take on a beautiful spreading form. In 20 years, it will reach approximately 4m (13ft) in height and spread, and may continue to grow up to 5m (16ft) or slightly more. In March, it is covered in pink flower buds that open into simple 5-petalled flowers, initially pale pink and then white. Appearing before the leaves, they gradually give way to small dark red fruits, round to oval in shape and about 1cm (1in) in diameter. The leaves, which emerge with a slight bronze colour, become bright green during the season. They are entire, lanceolate, measure from 3 to 6cm (1 to 2in) in length, and have finely toothed edges. In autumn, the deciduous foliage takes on intense warm colours, in shades of red and orange.

Easy to grow, this small flowering cherry tree thrives in most soils, including neutral, or chalky soils. It appreciates some moisture but is fairly tolerant as long as the soil is not too dry or waterlogged in winter. It prefers sunny locations to flourish, but is not really afraid of the cold, being hardy down to approximately -23°C (1°F). However, it should be protected from cold drafts to avoid damaging its beautiful flowering.

The Bride is a very good variety for small gardens, definitely one that deserves to be chosen when space is limited. Not only is its spring flowering remarkable, but its autumn colours make it worth planting in a border alongside other valuable plants. Among the plants that work well with this cherry tree, it can be associated with later-flowering plants, such as Weigela florida Magical Rainbow, whose variegated foliage will contrast with its own pink flowers in May-June. A stronger foliage contrast can be achieved with Weigela florida Alexandra, which has beautiful purple foliage. For the summer, the very attractive flowers of Hibiscus syriacus will take over, as well as Lagerstroemias, the superb Indian Lilacs with their vibrant colours until the end of summer.