Nothing says spring like the fluffy, delicate appearance of blossom. The pink-white flowers are a wonderful sign of spring and there are some pretty blossom trees that you can add to your garden.
There are many ornamental trees that are well-suited to smaller gardens, so you don’t need a large garden space. The top picks for spring blossom tend to be apples, cherries, peaches, and pears, and are the flowers that come before the fruit.
What’s in it for wildlife?
Not only are these trees a beautiful addition to the garden aesthetically, but they also supply pollen, nectar, and fruits for wildlife. For example, the blossom of Prunus avium (wild cherry) are loved by bees, and the cherries are eaten by blackbirds and song thrush.
In fact, the avium part of the botanical name refers to birds, which help to propagate by eating the cherries and dispersing the seeds.
Then, any fruit that drops to the ground is eaten by badgers and mice, so they are great plants for your garden’s wildlife.
Prunus ‘Blushing Bride’
For large white, pale pink blossoming blooms, this is a fantastic choice. As well as the flowers, the foliage puts on a show too with the mid-green leaves which turn fiery shades of red and orange during autumn. The elegant branches offer plenty of structural interest through winter months too.
- Flowers in spring
- Fully hardy
- Grows to 4-6m tall and wide
- Moist but well drained or well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed and sheltered
Prunus avium (wild cherry) ‘Plena’
Alternatively, for a larger tree that will be adorned with white, double flowers from April, ‘Plena’ is a perfect pick. Once again the foliage turns from green to autumnal hues later in the year. Also, the white flowers are followed by red fruits that are attractive to birds.
- Flowers in spring
- Fully hardy
- Grows to 12m tall and wide
- Moist but well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed or sheltered
Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’
Next is a small deciduous tree that blooms double pink, frilly flowers that are 5cm in width. For such a low-maintenance plant, they do deliver a lot with their blossom that will make an impact.
- Flowers in spring
- Fully hardy
- Grows to 8m tall and wide
- Moist but well-drained or well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed or sheltered
Malus (apple) ‘Royalty’
The darker, dramatic colour of ‘Royalty’ is a stunning blossom to have in your garden. The flowers are velvety red-purple and bloom in April to May. The tree has a compact, rounded structure, so it is well-suited for small gardens. Once again, the flowers are perfect for pollinators, and the purple fruits are popular with birds.
- Flowers in spring
- Fully hardy
- Grows to 4m tall and 3m wide
- Moist but well-drained or well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed or sheltered
Pyrus calleryana (callery pear) ‘Chanticleer’
Then, there’s an ornamental pear tree that has glossy, dark green foliage that is joined by masses of white flowers. These flowers are particularly attractive to bees, and they have great foliage interest too as the foliage turns vibrant red before falling.
Its slender growing habit makes it another great option for smaller garden spaces.
- Flowers in spring
- Fully hardy
- Grows taller than 12m, and 3-8m wide
- Moist but well-drained or well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed or sheltered
Blossom is a spectacular sight in spring, and trees that have blossom are a great addition to gardens that want to give a little extra to wildlife too. With their flowers and fruits, pollinators and birds will greatly appreciate it.
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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