Tree of the Month: Prunus ‘The Bride’

“March comes in like a lion,” as the saying goes. But according to the Prunus (flowering cherry), spring has already begun. This popular tree is known for its spectacular blossoms in early spring. While most Prunus varieties bloom abundantly and can rightfully be called true heralds of spring, not all are alike. One of the most commonly used flowering cherries is Prunus × yedoensis. Another beloved variety is Prunus ‘The Bride’, celebrated for its profuse white blossom and striking autumn colors—earning its place as Tree of the Month.

Prunus ‘The Bride’ belongs to the absolute top tier of ornamental cherries. It is healthy, easy to grow, and has a relatively narrow crown. As it matures, its branches begin to arch, forming a broad, vase-shaped crown with a flattened top. This makes ‘The Bride’ resemble a miniature version of Prunus × yedoensis—perfect for sites where the latter would simply grow too large. ‘The Bride’ remains considerably smaller, reaching only 5–8 meters in height and 4–6 meters in width.

The tree owes its name to its lavish white blossoms, which resemble an enormous bridal bouquet. The typical cherry blossoms appear before the leaves and consist of single, cup-shaped white flowers with a pink center. As flowering progresses, the blooms themselves take on a pinkish hue. They are a valuable nectar source for bees and bumblebees, which flock to the tree in abundance. After flowering, oval dark-red cherries appear. The fine, elongated to oval leaves emerge bronze-red, turn bright green in summer, and put on a phenomenal autumn display ranging from yellow to red in every shade in between. The bark is gray to gray-brown, and with its delicate arching twigs and elegant foliage, ‘The Bride’ remains ornamental all year round.

This flowering cherry is perfectly suited for locations where Prunus × yedoensis would be too large. Think of enclosed spaces in public areas and smaller gardens. Even in tree containers—provided the spot is sheltered—‘The Bride’ performs well. It thrives best in sunny sites with fertile, moist soil.