Prunus tenella Fire Hill

Prunus tenella 'Fire Hill' is a lovely variety of Russian dwarf almond tree. It is distinguished by a vibrant and bright pink flowering, more intense than the type, its small flowers literally covering its branches in April, just before the foliage appears. The shrub, low, spreading, forming a sparse bunch, spreads through suckers. Its small, narrow, shiny green leaves are elegant. In the garden, it is an easy plant to grow in well-drained soil, very hardy and charming in spring. Plant this Prunus in a large rockery or in a bed among other flowering shrubs and perennial plants!

Prunus tenella, from the large family Rosaceae, is an extremely cold-resistant deciduous botanical species, originating from Eastern Europe (Austria, Hungary, former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Albania) and temperate Asia. Its natural range is found in the steppes of southern Russia, Kazakhstan, Altai, extending to China. The 'Fire Hill' cultivar is distinguished by more intense flowering and a slightly more erect habit.

Of medium growth, it has a spreading habit, with few branching branches. At maturity, it will not exceed 1.5 metres (5 feet) in height on average with the same spread, expanding over the years through stoloniferous roots. The bark that covers the trunk and older branches is grey-brown to silver-grey. Just before the foliage appears, in April depending on the region, a profusion of red-pink flowers, measuring up to 3 cm (1in) in diameter, bloom closely along the previous year's branches. Highly visited by bees, they are followed by the formation of straw-yellow fruits. The leaves are entire, lanceolate, with toothed edges. The foliage, shiny green, turns yellow in autumn before falling. The root system of this bush consists of a powerful main root and numerous sucker branches, especially in porous and light soils.

Of modest stature, charming in spring and requiring very little maintenance, this dwarf almond tree is suitable for small gardens, where it will be particularly enhanced in a bed of simultaneous or staggered flowering shrubs. Perfectly hardy and very resistant, it can be grown in many regions, but dislikes compact and clay soils, dry soils, and excessively arid conditions. For example, in a hedge or in a bed, it can be associated with Japanese quince, ornamental apple trees, flowering peach trees, Chinese almond trees, hawthorns... It also grows very well in pots or containers, only needing to be repotted every two years.