Prunus avium

Are you looking to introduce reliable seasonal interest and attract beneficial wildlife to your UK garden space? The Prunus avium, commonly known as the wild cherry, offers a wonderful combination of spring blossom and edible summer fruit for a truly rewarding display.

This tree provides masses of white, nodding blossom early in the year during April, followed by small, shiny red to dark red or purple cherries in summer which are highly attractive to garden birds and mammals, and this deciduous beauty finishes the year with vibrant orange and red foliage in autumn. Its growth habit is generally spreading and bushy, offering a lovely architectural shape throughout the seasons.

For best results in a British garden, ensure this tree is positioned where it receives full sun and benefits from moist but well-drained neutral to alkaline soil, remembering to offer it a sheltered spot away from harsh winds and the threat of late frosts. This specimen tree is perfectly suited as a focal point in larger gardens, informal settings, or as a valuable addition to any wildlife garden planning for edible fruit.