Ask the gardener

Over the coming weeks, final proof that spring has arrived will be seen in the emerging blooms of the cherry blossom tree, or flowering cherries, as some people prefer to call them.

There are many varieties of cherry blossom and they all come under the botanical name ‘Prunus’.

Cherry blossoms are a deciduous tree that mainly flower in spring and are known collectively as cherry blossom since they all produce a similar type of flower. Not all cherry blossoms produce fruit, some have been cultivated for ornamental use only, so if you want your tree to produce cherries be sure to ask your local garden centre for the correct one.