Prunus 'Spire'

Photos taken on April 1. Prunus 'Spire' arose as a seedling of Sargent Cherry (Prunus sargentii). From the superabundant blossom it looks like it could be a cross with Yoshino Cherry (Prunus yedoensis).

Grown for its early flowers and upright habit. But on older trees (below) it opens out and does not look so very spire-like.

Close-up showing the red eye of the blossom and the young leaves, bronze when they emerge but often with bright green teeth.

After flowering, 'Spire' goes through a tatty phase before settling down, like most ornamental cherries, to a fairly unremarkable summer.

But in autumn it comes roaring back, showing its Sargent Cherry heritage in these dramatic leaf colours.

Autumn colours of Prunus 'Spire'. Frome, 17 October 2021.

This is the same tree as shown at the head of this post, but nine years older: you can see how it's broadened out. 

Autumn colours of Prunus 'Spire'. Frome, 17 October 2021.

Bark of Prunus 'Spire'. Frome, 17 October 2021.

Fallen leaves of Prunus 'Spire'. Frome, 17 October 2021.