Prunus litigiosa Tree | Hillier Trees

Tree Information

Specialities

Tolerances

Wet Soil: Low

Dry Soil: Medium

Lime: Medium

Prunus litigiosa, commonly known as Tassel Cherry, is a rare tree originally found as Prunus pilosiuscula in the central Chinese area of Hupeh. It was brought to the UK in the 1900’s by famous plant explorer Ernest Henry Wilson and was introduced as Prunus pilsiuscula media.

It is quite an uncommon variety with many designers and landscapers yet to know of its benefits. The Tassel Cherrys slender columnar form grows with a half open canopy that remains narrow into maturity. This makes it an ideal tree for urban locations and smaller areas.

Delicate buds unfold with elegant flowers that hang gracefully in clusters with the opening foliage. The flowers droop on long stalks where the anthers hang from the centre like tassels, inspiring its common name. The bright golden pollen at their ends gently rustles in the wind, which gives the tree extra ornamental value.

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Size

Small

8m high x 3m wide after 25 years

Environment

Ideal for urban locations and smaller areas to act as a contour breaker for larger trees.

Canopy

A fastigiate form with a columnar upright habit. Its slender form lends well to smaller locations with minimal space, whilst creating strong scenes within the landscape design.

Foliage

Pleasant light green which develops mellow golden tones for the autumn.

Flowers

Distinct flowers with a delicate cotton silk appearance to the petals. They hang from the tree where the anthers, or tassels, gracefully droop like strands of silk from the centre of the flower. These are longer than petals, providing the common name.

Resilience

Suitable for most soil types, including chalk and clay, but requires draining soil as does not tolerate water logging

Available As:

Semi-Mature