The sun is out, the sky is blue and look! Blossom!
#011 : Prunus cerasifera
Wild Cherry Plum
The first fruit tree blossom to spangle the hedgerows is that of the Wild Cherry Plum, an extremely common shrubby tree in East Anglia – every hedge, scrubby corner and woodland edge will have a few Cherry Plums . . . and our boundary hedge and Wild Wood are no exception. So it was a joyful sight to see the white blossom against a deep blue sky this morning.
The botanical name is Prunus cerasifera . . .
Prunus is Latin for 'plum'. Cerasum means 'cherry' and ferens means 'bearing' – Plum which bears cherries!
If you get to know your local hedgerows (and I can recommend that you do) you will get to know each Cherry Plum . . . they will all be different, or rather the fruits will all be different. The small round fruit (about 2 to 3 cm in diameter) might be yellow, greeny-yellow, pinky-yellow, pinky-red, orangey-red . . . and the flavour and texture will vary too - juicy or dry, sharp or sweet. You will find your favourites and return year after year to gather the fruits in summer.
The RHS has a useful guide to hedgerow fruit, to help you tell your Sloes from your Bullaces and Cherries from Damsoms.
Of course, the stage between pretty white blossom and ripening fruit needs some help . . . so it was lovely to see these Honey Bees enjoying the warmth of the sun and stopping for a drink on this mossy tray of stones near our greenhouse door.
Of course, you can't count your Cherry Plums before the late frosts and the 'June drop', but the bees have sown a seed of hope for a fruitful summer.
Celia
xx
Hello Celia,
ReplyDeleteAn interesting point about getting to know one's hedgerows.
First, so many have disappeared which is rather sad. However, for those which remain they can indeed be a source of endless fascination, not to mention free gifts of Nature, as the seasons progress.
We were always intrigued by the process of laying hedges, quite an art and a great way to re-invigorate an ancient hedge.
You are right, untold miles of hedges disappeared as the Barley Barons invested in industrial scale mechanised farming. Very rare to see a laid hedge in East Anglia, the nearest area for that tradition is probably Northamptonshire.
DeleteThe cherry plum blossom is out here too, though not in full - some trees have yet to flower. I hadn't heard of cherry plums til we moved here and found 2 trees and a whole hedge of the stuff in the garden. As you say, they are all slightly different - the two trees have bright yellow fruit, while the hedge has red. Now I look forward to the blossom every year. I hope the wind doesn't blow it off too quickly! Helen
ReplyDeleteYes we have both yellow and red Cherry Plums, although sadly one of the largest 'hedge trees' toppled over into the brook in the recent storms.
DeleteToo early up here for cherry plum blossom just yet. It is one of the markers of early spring. Watching for it...
ReplyDeleteIt seems very early here, but it is nearly March!
Deletemmm...lovely memories here, Celia. Thank you. Odd though it may seem, I know how to cut-and-lay a hedge! I was shown, many years ago, by an old chap in Wales.
ReplyDeleteI am not at all surprised that you can lay a hedge :-)
Deleteit's heartening to see thriving gardens, complete with honey bees. we are suffering the worst draught in hundreds of years and flowers will have to wait for the time being. :(
ReplyDeleteI hope you get rain soon. Only 2 years ago were in a serious drought situation with water reserves well below what would be needed - the government introduced water restrictions and the next day it rained - and it hasn't stopped :-)))
Delete... oh Celia, i feel so happy when I see blossom! There are two cherry plums by the church here in my village and I remember posting a couple of photos alongside a haiku - ooh it must have been the year before last now - to which you posted a lovely comment! It was so nice to be reminded of that so I'm going to take a walk down there today to see if its blossomed yet! x
ReplyDeleteI went back to look at your blog post... I hope you found the trees in bloom, although the sky isn't exactly blue today, is it!
DeleteGetting out to see your local hedgerow is great advice Celia and one I hope people heed and enjoy. There's a whole world of wonder out there if you look and I love those cherry blossom photos. Nothing out here this far west as yet and no honey bees either. Saw the first bumble bee of the year yesterday basking in the sun on the back wall but she cut a lone figure. Spring is on the way but not exactly rushing in....
ReplyDeleteI too have seen a Queen Bumblebee flying about, it may be a Tree Bee - last year they nested above a door in our old stable block, I wonder if this year's Queen will go back to the old nest site?
DeleteWe have an incredible variety of hedgerow species hereabouts but no Cherry Plum as far as I'm aware. What a pity though, because that blossom is rather lovely :)
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to map the different hedgerow species, I wonder if it's been done?
DeleteIs that a very geeky thought?
Beautiful blossoms and honey bees, it sounds like your garden is a slice of heaven. Oh and please...let there be a good summer!
ReplyDelete