Spring is welcomed every year with a flurry of blossoms, a beautiful though fleeting gift to reward our patience through a long winter. There are many trees with beautiful blossoms worthy of a place in the garden, but here are a few of my favourites.
First would have to be the sublime Prunus Ukon, a flowering cherry with bronze foliage and the most delicious ruffled blooms in a wash of pink, green and cream. It’s the highlight of the blossom season for me with its romantic and gentle blooms.
The Crabapples too are favourites, and three I enjoy most are the purple leafed Malus Royal Raindrops, Malus floribunda, and the classic Malus ioensis Plena (and M Ioensis Plena Rubra). Royal Raindrops is a lovely small tree with purple to bronze foliage and rich magenta blossoms, a gorgeous more recent addition to the Malus family. Malus floribunda would be a close second favourite, pretty in all seasons with a lovely contorted and spreading habit, covered in masses of pale pink fading to white flowers in early spring. I’ve recently added Malus Rejoice, a lovely cultivar with bronze foliage and dusty mid pink flowers, Tom Matthews too is gorgeous for purple/bronze foliage and mid pink blossoms.
The ornamental pears (Pyrus) are among the earliest to flower in spring, covered in masses of simple but gorgeous white blooms. The classic Manchurian pear is loved though prone to breakage in the wind, so here in our hilltop garden we’ve chosen Pyrus calleryana Chanticleer, Pyrus Aristocrat and the narrow growing Pyrus calleryana Capital. Pyrus nivalis, the snow pear, is a stunning garden tree with its slender silvery foliage, though I’ve yet to add it – I must find a spot! All are beautiful trees offering year round interest.
Fruiting orchard trees are blissful in blossom season, the apricots and plums flowering first. My favourite of all is the common quince, Cydona oblonga, large simple flowers in pale pink which promise the most sublime quinces later in the season. The much earlier flowering Chaenomeles japonica are shrubby forms that bring cheer to the late winter garden. The Medlar too is a worthy tree to include for its blossom, autumn colour and delicious fruit. Not commonly seen, but lovely.
Spring is a great time to plant flowering trees, with plenty of new stock in nurseries. Blossom season may be short lived, but so worth the wait!
