Plants: Prunus serrulata 'Royal burgundy' - flowering cherry

God bless all botanists who restlessly create new and yet more beautiful crosses and hybrids of plants, so we can enjoy splashes of colours and abundant flowering in our gardens.

Many of us thought Kanzan to be the best flowering and the most beautiful cherry. Well, get ready for another selection based on Kanzan - Royal Burgundy (hear the majestic name!). It is enhanced by deep burgundy foliage all season long, and double flowers of a stronger shade of pink.

It is quite hardy and somewhat slow growing, so being a mid-sized tree, don't be afraid to find it a place in your garden. It grows in any soil but will thrive in light moist, well drained, rich soils.

When planting it, make sure the root-ball is well soaked with water. Use humus enriched soil which will remain moist, not wet. Cherries are said to do better in acidic soil but are quite adaptable. Pruning is recommended to take place in summer months to prevent silver leaf and bacteria canker. Fully hardy to some -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Size/type: medium-sized tree
Usual height: 6-8m
Usual width: 3-6m
Leaves: deciduous broadleaf
Colour of leaves: burgundy red
Flowers: showy
Colour of flowers: pink
Blooming time: april - may
Location: full sun
Usda zone (lowest): 5 (down to -29°c)
Belongs to categories: deciduous broadleaf