Prunus triloba - Flowering Almond

Prunus triloba, also known as the Wild Chinese Almond tree, is less known than its cultivar 'Multiplex' which is often preferred for its more compact growth. This beautiful deciduous bush is appreciated for its wonderful flowering in clusters of very fresh pink pompoms that evoke tiny old roses dotted along its still bare branches. In the garden, it is one of the very first to announce the arrival of spring. It suits planting in a free hedge or at the back of flower beds, accompanied by other plants that will take over from its incredible pink flowering.

Prunus triloba, also called Flowering Almond, is a small deciduous bush from the Rosaceae family, cousin of peach, cherry and apricot trees. It is native to northern China. Only the double-flowered forms of the Wild Chinese Almond are found in cultivation, more prized by gardeners. It naturally forms a ramified bush with a slightly spreading habit, but it can also be trained into a small tree with a Japanese silhouette if pruned judiciously. At maturity, it will reach about 3.5 m (11.5 ft) in height and 3 m (9.8 ft) in width. Its growth is moderately fast. Its branches are covered with a reddish-brown velvety bark. In mild climates, flowering begins in February. In cooler areas, the flowers appear in March-April, just before the appearance of the foliage. Small, pink double flowers, measuring 2 cm to 3 cm (0.8 in 1.2 in) wide, appear all along the branches that are 1 year old or older. The flowers are either solitary or borne in pairs. They are followed by the emergence of small ovate leaves with toothed edges. The leaves are bright green in colour, darker on the upper side, lighter and pubescent on the underside, taking on beautiful yellow tones in autumn. Sometimes divided into three small lobes at their tips, they are the origin of the species name triloba. This plant produces very few, non-edible, small, oval and bright red fruits.

The Chinese Almond tree deserves to be planted more in our gardens, especially since it is not demanding in terms of soil and climate. It is one of those bushes that announce the return of sunny days, like forsythias, Abeliophyllum, Japanese quinces or Japanese apricot trees (Prunus mume), with which it can be paired in a flower bed or hedge. In the garden, it can be planted at the corner of a bed covered with violets, early spring bulbs, winter heathers, forget-me-nots or hellebores for example. It will look perfect near the entrance of the house, accompanied by a Sarcococca, a single lilac and a Calycanthus that will take over from spring to summer. Its budding branches can be placed in a vase: cut a few when the buds appear; they will bloom very quickly, about a month before those on the bush.

Tip: Do not prune at the beginning of the season to fully enjoy the flowering.