Prunus x subhirtella Hally Jolivette - Autumn Cherry

Prunus x subhirtella 'Hally Jolivette' is a highly decorative selection of Japanese flowering cherry tree. This small tree with a wide, finely branched crown is literally covered in a pale pink mist in early spring. In autumn, it once again attracts attention with its fiery foliage. Hardy and not very demanding in terms of soil and climate, this Prunus combines charm and robustness. Its modest growth allows it to be planted even in small gardens.

Prunus x subhirtella 'Hally Jolivette' is a horticultural creation by Dr. K. Sax from the Arnold Arboretum (Boston), dating back to 1940. This hybrid is the result of a cross between Prunus subhirtella and P. yedoensis with P. subhirtella. Like all Prunus, it belongs to the large family of Rosaceae. It is a deciduous tree with compact and rather slow growth, usually reaching 3 m in all directions (occasionally 4 m). It develops a short trunk, supporting a widely spreading, rounded, dense crown. Some main branches bear thin, brown, highly branched twigs. Flowering occurs in March-April depending on the region, before the appearance of foliage. The double flowers are gathered in small clusters, hanging from short peduncles. They emerge from elongated, light pink buds and then open into cream-white corollas with a dark pink centre. The deciduous foliage consists of alternate, ovate, 3 to 6 cm long and 2 cm wide leaves with dentate edges. The bright green leaf has a hairy underside and turns yellow, orange, and red in autumn. The bark is dark grey-brown, and the young branches are hairy.

Prunus 'Hally Jolivette', with its modest size and easy maintenance, is suitable for all gardens. This wonderful small tree will be particularly highlighted when planted as a standalone specimen or in the centre of a perennial bed where the flowering plants take over from spring to summer. You can also plant it at the back of a border. It is perfectly hardy and can be cultivated in many regions, but dislikes compact or clayey soils or overly dry conditions. For example, it can be combined in a border with other spring-flowering shrubs, simultaneously or staggered, such as Japanese quinces, the 'Taoflora Pink' flowering peach tree, the Korean forsythia, the Japanese apricot tree (Prunus mume 'Beni Chidori')... A carpet of blue hyacinths 'Delft Blue' or blue grape hyacinths would be very effective at its base.