Prunus ‘Tai Haku’ (21/04/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Flowering period: Late spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 7m
Eventual Spread: 10m
Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Rosaceae
Prunus ‘Tai Haku’ is a deciduous flowering tree with a vase shaped spreading habit. Its mid green leaves are elliptic with serrulate margins, up to 20cm long and 8cm broad. Its leaves are bronze as they emerge in spring and turn yellow/ orange in autumn before they fall. Its bark. Its white fragrant flowers are up to 6cm across and appear at the same time as its leaves. Its will not bear fruit. This is a shallow rooting tree.
Prunus ‘Tai Haku’ Flower (21/04/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Prunus ‘Tai Haku’, commonly known as the Great White Cherry, is a variety native to Japan from where it became extinct. Fortunately a single specimen was found in Sussex in 1923, it was re-introduced into 1932.
The etymological root of the binomial name Prunus is derived from the classical name of the plum.
Tai Haku is derived from the Japanese meaning ‘Great White’.
The landscape architect may find Prunus ‘Tai Haku’ useful as an attractive small spreading spring flowering tree. This tree is tolerant of urban pollution.
Ecologically, Prunus ‘Tai Haku’ is attractive to pollinating insects.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Prunus ‘Tai Haku’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Prunus ‘Tai Haku’ Bark (21/04/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Prunus ‘Tai Haku’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes wet soils.
Prunus ‘Tai Haku’ requires little maintenance. Pruning should be carried out after flowering, from April to July to minimise the risk of Silver leaf infection.
