One of the best spring blossom trees, Prunus x blireana is a cross between the Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) and the purple-leaved plum (Prunus cerasifera ‘Pissardii’). It is a deciduous tree growing to around 5m tall. It has slender, arching branches, double mauve pink flowers, and reddish purple leaves which turn purplish green in summer. Flowering time is from mid August to mid September. This hybrid is sterile, so does not produce fruit. Best climate for this is in Adelaide, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and the Mountains.
It is a dramatic spring feature plant, particularly when planted in a row, It produces and abundance of beautiful, fragrant, double pink flowers in late winter and spring flowers attractive reddish purple foliage hardy does not produce fruit, so no need to worry about fruit fly or messy, rotting, dropped plums.
Prunus is susceptible to attack from fruit-tree borer, particularly if the interior branches become congested and rub against each other. They are also attacked by a fungal disease called Shot Hole, which causes small holes to form in the leaves, usually in late spring or summer. If this problem occurs spray in autumn and again in late winter with copper oxychloride.
This tree needs moderately fertile soil, good drainage and a sunny position. Protection from wind is also important, as strong winds will blow the petals off the plant and ruin the flower display. After flowering thin out the centre and make room for new growth by removing old, non-productive wood (Prunus x blireana flowers on 1-3 year old wood). Watch for suckers from the understock, which will have green instead of reddish purple leaves. These should be removed immediately.
This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme,
and also part of the Skywatch Friday meme.
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