Prunus Bonaparte Sweet Cherry Patio Tree - Hardy Deciduous Garden Ready Laurel Fruit Plants - Bee & Butterfly Friendly - Live Plant in Pot for Vibrant Gardens, Patios & Borders (3 Litre Pot, 50-80cm)

Product description

• The Prunus 'Bonaparte', a classic variety of sweet cherry, makes a gorgeous, woody-stemmed patio tree. The main spectacle for this deciduous variety occurs in spring, when its bare branches become smothered in clusters of delicate white blossom. After this stunning floral display, a canopy of lush, dark green foliage unfurls for the summer months, which is accompanied by this variety's signature sweet, dark red cherries in July. The whole structure is supported by a sturdy, woody stem, perfect for its role as a patio tree.
• The genus of this tree is Prunus, a diverse group of trees and shrubs highly valued for both their ornamental beauty and their delicious fruit, such as cherries, plums, and peaches. The parent species of this variety, Prunus avium (the Wild Sweet Cherry), is native across Europe and Western Asia. This genus creates its stunning appearance from a profusion of spring blossom, where the branches are covered in five-petalled flowers. On fruiting varieties like 'Bonaparte', this floral display is followed by a crop of edible cherries in the summer.
• The main floral event for the 'Bonaparte' cherry tree is a spectacular display that occurs in early spring, long before summer begins. The flowers emerge in dense clusters directly from the bare branches, covering the tree in a cloud of pure white, five-petalled blossom. Each delicate flower is lightly scented and, rather than being a magnet for butterflies, they are a vital food source for bees and other early-season pollinators. The whole flowering canopy held in place by the classic, lollipop-style stem that defines its patio tree form.
• For the best blossom and fruit, your 'Bonaparte' cherry tree requires a prime position in full sun (at least 6 hours daily). It thrives in rich, loam-based soil. For container growing, use a rich, soil-based potting compost for mature plants with added horticultural grit to ensure excellent drainage. Water consistently and generously throughout spring and summer, but reduce this in winter, providing just enough to prevent the roots from completely drying out.
• Pruning your 'Bonaparte' cherry tree is essential for its shape and health. Crucially, never prune it in autumn or winter. The only safe time to prune is in mid-summer (July or August) to prevent disease. The method is a light, selective prune, not a hard cut: simply remove any dead or crossing branches and shorten the year's longest shoots by about a third to maintain a compact shape. This is vital because cherries flower and fruit on old wood, and a hard prune would eliminate the next year's crop.