Anyone know about ornamental cherry tree varieties? Or another blossom tree?

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Hi all

We have a space for a tree in the S corner of our small walled urban garden. I think (?) an ornamental fruit tree would work well as it will be ok close to the walls. We’re very sheltered, never gets too cold here.

I’m thinking of an ornamental cherry but looking for some ideas of specific varieties to look for. I’d like blossom, either white or pale/mid pink. Nice coloured autumn leaves and/or interesting bark would be a definite bonus. Both if possible!! About 6-10m would be a good height. Spreading or rounded rather than upright shape as I’d like some shade in the garden from it. Definitely don’t want any sort of fruit or anything else that drops other than the blossom and leaves.

If anyone has any suggestions that would be great. Or any other kind of tree I should consider as a nice feature tree in a small walled garden?

Lastly we have fake grass - is that a pain with blossom?

Thanks

Amelanchier

Some good suggestions here
www.rhs.org.uk/garden-inspiration/plants-we-love/cherry-trees-for-small-gardens
I have Prunus Kursar in my front garden and its a lovely tree, but the blossom is dark pink.
Prunus Sunset Boulevard is another nice tree with lovely large blossom early on
www.mailordertrees.co.uk/products/prunus-sunset-boulevard-flowering-cherry-tree

www.mailordertrees.co.uk/products/prunus-shogetsu-blushing-bride-flowering-cherry-tree?_pos=9&_sid=6e23c5308&_ss=r
Another lovely Cherry, more spreading in habit

Geppeli are you my mum, she keeps suggesting amelanchier. They’re nice but I don’t quite get what’s special about them? What am I missing?

trickyex thank you, I will have a look!

Pink perfection if you want a pink cherry with good leaf colour, or there's a pale pink one called fragrant cloud which is lovely. Otherwise try a malus (crab apple) - variety 'gorgeous' has blossom, then bright red fruits, and good leaf colour too.

Oh just saw you don't want fruit, the malus won't do then!

Thanks! Are there any ornamental non fruiting apples or pears I should look at? I do like the cherry blossoms though and they tend to have more interesting bark... I think...? (Plant knowledge extremely limited)

Oh one more question, can we plant one now (in the next month or so) or is it better to wait till autumn?

I dont know of non fruiting apples, ornamental Pears are good for screening but not blossom and are not as pretty as the Cherry varieties.
You could plant now yes, you will need to water weekly through the summer. Autumn is better, it depends on how careful you are with the watering and how long you can wait!

Fragrant cloud looks perfect so far thank you! Love that it is scented too, I forgot to mention scent but really value that.

I love Blushing bride too but it might be a bit too spreading for our small garden and as it’s going to be right in the corner it would overhang the neighbours... I’d love a blossom tree overhanging us but they might not

In fact thinking of the neighbours maybe I should consider the more upright ones like Sunset Boulevard

Thanks so much for the help

We have a drip hose set up that we can leave on a timer, would that be enough watering even in heat of summer?

Sunset Boulevard is upright/case shaped. One of my neighbours has it and the blossom is really beautiful. Not too sure scent is a big thing with cherries though, use shrubs for scent? They have longer flowering too.
A bucket of water once a week is better than drip hose generally.
Have a look on Barchams website for info on trees, both choosing and aftercare.
If you are only having one tree then its worth taking your time in choosing it. I have a garden full of trees I have planted and some were much better choices than others...
A lovely tree is Judas tree with hot pink blosson on bare branches and heart shaped leaves and good autumn colour. Might be worth a look too?

www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/redbud-judas-trees-cercis-trees-c124

I have a Malus (not sure which) in my garden - it’s 2m tall and trained into a weeping shape. The fruits are tiny and bright red - they don’t drop so brighten up the garden all winter and provide the birds with food in about Feb when they really need it. Best plant in my garden, I love it!

Mmm could be malus sun rival

Thanks! Yes maybe scent isn’t so important, we are planning to have jasmine (and or other scented climber) all over the walls anyway so that will drown out any less strong scent I guess.

I do prefer rounded shape to vase/upright shape so that was part of the attraction of fragrant cloud, but I suppose the neighbours might prefer the Sunset boulevard as less overhang... I will keep looking at pictures of the fully grown form

Wasywasysdoodah thanks! If there are ones where the fruits don’t drop then they might be contenders but I’m not sure about attracting birds as we have a cat! Hmmm

I like the look of Judas tree, DH has vetoes bright pink so it would have to be a white version, I will look further.

Yes we only have space for one tree so want to take time to choose the right one.

thanks again!