Prunus ‘Kuboku-Zakura’

We’ve grown this one on our Thurning ground for a few years, and it’s a lovely, unusual cherry. The flowers are the main event, arriving in dense, double white clusters around March. They look like little powder puffs, which is where its other name, ‘Powder Puff’, comes from. Sometimes, you might even get a second, lighter flowering in late autumn.

This is a small, spreading tree that won’t get too big, reaching about 4 metres in 20 years. It has a rounded habit and is happy in most soils, as long as they are well-drained. For the best results, find it a spot in full sun. The mid-green leaves are a simple backdrop to the flowers and turn to shades of orange and red in the autumn.

Like most flowering cherries, it doesn’t need much pruning. If you do need to shape it or remove any damaged branches, the best time is just after it has flowered in the summer. This helps avoid any nasty diseases. It’s a great choice for a specimen tree in a lawn or in a mixed border where its spring blossom can really stand out.