Prunus incisa ‘Kojo-no-mai’. Small, but perfectly formed.

Unlike many ornamental cherries, this delicate Japanese one will fit intoanyspace, evenalarge container. Known as the Fuji cherry, its dainty pink-tinted buds erupt into white blossoms as winter merges into spring.
Flowering is profuse, with densely-packed blossoms hanging from wiry, semileafless branches to brighten uptheskyline.Withabackdrop ofclearbluesky,thislovely early-flowering cherry tree epitomises blossom time.
Native to Japan, it’s found growing wild on the slopes of Mount Fuji. It’s also grown as apopularbonsaispecimen because of its dense, slightly twisted growth.
These are generally very hardy trees but, being one of the first to flower, blossom may need protection from frosts in very cold gardens, especially if grown in a container.
The trees grow slowly and seldom reach a height and spread of more than 2m (6ft 8in). They form a rounded shape so they can also be used as a flowering hedge.
Once the flowers have faded, the large, deeply cut dark green leaves take centre stage, but this is a tree for all seasons, with good autumn colour to add to its list of merits. Foliage can turn shades of fiery gold, red and orange before the leaves fall in autumn.

 Keep them happy.

Prunus incisa isn’t as fussy about soil type as some cherries, because it will grow on most soils, not just acidic ones. Plant into good, fertile humusrich soil in a sunny or semishaded position. If you want to grow it in a large container, use a soil-based compost such as John Innes No 3 mixed 50-50 with soil conditioner or homemade compost, to help give good drainage. Protect plants in pots from waterlogging and freezing, which damage plant roots. Like all prunus, only prune this lowering cherry when the leaves are on the trees, to avoid fungal disease entering pruning cuts.
O Available from Bluebell Nursery and Arboretum, tel: 01530 413700, http://seeds.rucenter.biz