Plant a blossom tree in your garden and feel its magic for years to come

"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'. 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."

"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."

Planting a cherry tree to commemorate a child's birth demonstrates how blossom trees serve as meaningful, long-lasting garden gifts. A well-chosen tree like Prunus 'Accolade' offers multiple seasons of visual interest: delicate pink spring blossoms and golden autumn leaves. Blossom trees require less maintenance than bulbs while providing reliable annual displays. When selecting a tree, consider practical factors including mature size, root spread potential, bloom timing, and how its colors coordinate with existing garden plantings. Spring represents an ideal planting season when soil is warming and moist but not waterlogged.

Read at www.theguardian.com