Prunus Umineko - Cherry

The Prunus 'Umineko' is a hybrid flowering cherry tree of English origin. It is a deciduous tree appreciated for its upright habit and abundant spring flowering in loose clusters of pure white single flowers enhanced by numerous bright golden stamens. Its reddish-toothed leaves emerge at the same time, creating a halo effect of pink on the entire tree before gradually turning dark green. In autumn, its foliage ignites into shades of orange to deep purple-red. Its elegant silhouette and small size make it an interesting choice for planting in isolation, in alignment, or in the back of borders, especially in gardens with limited space. Hardy and undemanding, this tree thrives in full sun in all normal, not too poor, well-drained, and moist soils.

It is a variety resulting from the cross-breeding between Prunus serrulata var. speciosa and Prunus incisa, from which it inherits its colorful autumn foliage. Prunus serrulata, belonging to the large family of Rosaceae, is a small tree with a dense crown and fine bark, native to Asia, specifically Japan, Korea, and China. It is also known as Japanese Cherry, Hill Cherry, Japanese Flowering Cherry, or Oriental Cherry. Prunus incisa, commonly called Dwarf Japanese Flowering Cherry, is a very hardy tree of modest size, belonging to the large family of Rosaceae. In its natural habitat, it is found on the slopes of Mount Fuji in Japan.

The English cultivar 'Umineko' is an exceptionally floriferous variety that blooms in clusters of pure white single flowers in spring and develops a columnar habit, slightly wider than 'Amanogawa'. Of medium growth, this tree will reach between 7 m (23 ft) in height and 4 m (13 ft 1 in) in spread. Flowering occurs in April depending on the region, at the same time that young tender green leaves tinged with red and copper emerge. Its numerous buds open into small flowers, with pure white petals and golden yellow stamens, along the branches. Gathered in small clusters of 2-3, they measure 2.5 cm (1 in) in diameter. After flowering, the 'Umineko' Prunus adorns itself with ovoid deciduous leaves, doubly toothed at the margin, measuring 4 to 5 cm (1.6 to 2 in) in length. They are dark green in summer and turn brilliant orange, then scarlet red, and finally scarlet violet in autumn.

This small tree with a strong personality will naturally find its place in isolation, in alignment if space allows, or at most in the back of borders, placed behind perennials or small bushes with staggered flowering. To adorn its base, you can plant, for example, silver basket, a small creeping clematis Clematis diversifolia Rooguchi, or forget-me-nots, discreet and charming, which will not overshadow its splendor. You could also consider planting a small pink clematis to brighten foliage in summer (Clematis Little Mermaid, Success Cady, Josephine).