Prunus x juddii (21/04/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 12m
Eventual Spread: 10m
Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Family: Rosaceae
Prunus x juddii is a deciduous tree with an upright habit. Its dark green leaves are elliptic with serrate margins. Its leaves turn orange/ red before they fall in autumn. Its pale pink flowers are up to 3cm across and appear at the same time as its leaves. Its black/ purple fruit is a drupe and up to 1cm across. Its roots are shallow rooting.
Prunus x juddii Flowers (21/04/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Prunus x juddii is commonly known as Judd’s Cherry.
The etymological root of the binomial name Prunus is from the classical name of the Plum tree. Juddii is named after William Henry Judd (1888 – 1946), an English horticulturist who worked in the USA.
The landscape architect may find Prunus x juddii useful as an attractive spring flowering tree.
Ecologically, Prunus x juddii flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its fruit are attractive to birds and some mammals.
Prunus x juddii Bark (21/04/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Prunus x juddii prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Prunus x juddii requires little maintenance. Pruning should be carried out after flowering, from April to July to minimise the risk of Silver leaf infection.
