Just shy of three years ago, I planted a cherry tree in my garden. It was the result of a deeply postpartum, vaguely chaotic research mission: to find a tree that was small yet substantial enough for my compact London garden. I wanted a pollution-hardy tree with flowers the right shade of pale pink that would bloom around the time of my newborn son’s vernal equinox birthday. Celebrating a baby’s new arrival with a tree or a shrub is one of the most romantic, and hopefully enduring, gifts one can give.
I chose a Prunus ‘Accolade’ (pictured above). It feels funny to associate that tree with the boisterous little boy I live with. But the blossom was undeniably magic. There was a window on our stairway that framed it perfectly. Every time we popped up or down we got a hit of candyfloss pink. Six months later, when we marked his half-years with the autumn equinox, the tree’s leaves would begin to turn golden.
I use this story to illustrate that a good blossom tree should be able to party just as hard come the autumn. Now’s a good time to compile a list of those you like as they begin to bloom and then to plant one while we’re right on the cusp of the growing season and the earth is wet (but avoid any waterlogged spots) and warming up.
If you’ve ever looked up to marvel at blossom suspended against bright blue skies, you’ll know what a cheering sight it is. There’s a lot of fuss made about bulbs at this time of year, but a good blooming tree will keep giving year-on-year with far less maintenance. There are practical considerations, of course: the largest potential size it will grow to (the roots will spread out as wide as a tree’s branches, and can wreak havoc with hard landscaping and the foundations of houses); when it will be in bloom; and what it will do for the other 49 weeks of the year when it isn’t.
Certain gardens around the country hold events celebrating their flowering trees: Kew adds music for its Sounds of Blossom festival, while Crook Hall Gardens in Durham is the jewel in the crown of a citywide programme dedicated to blossom. But one of the best bits of spring is that even the most unassuming suburban street can suddenly explode in pink and white.
Whatever you go for, think about the colours in the rest of your garden; a lovely tree can be undercut by an unfortunate clash. On the other hand, you could fully commit and match your shed, back door or even front door and woodwork to the plant in question. There are a few houses round my way that have done it, and it always looks fantastic: a seasonal, sunny magic trick, totally perfect for a few glorious weeks.
