Spire

Spire is a compact pink blossom tree. The flowers have a soft pale pink sheen, and are usually single (less than 10 petals) but often semi-double (having more than 10 petals).

The tree grows with a strong upright vase-like form, and is a good choice for smaller spaces. Its proportions are similar to the well-known fastigiate cherry, Prunus Amanogawa, but its upright form arguably ages better.

The leaves emerge at about the same time as the blossom and are initially a pale copper-green colour, becoming green over the summer, and then taking on strong orange-red tints in the autumn.

Spire flowering cherry trees for sale

All our pot-grown trees are grown for us to our specification by the Frank P Matthews nursery.

All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.

Sorry we have not produced any trees of this variety this season.

History

Spire was developed at the Hillier Nursery in the 1920s and introduced in 1956. It is related to Prunus sargentii.

Spire characteristics

• Gardening skillBeginner
• AwardsRHS AGM (current) - 1993
• Attractive featuresAttractive flowersAutumn foliage colour
• Growth habitUpright
• Height after 10 years2.5m-3.5m / 8ft-12ft
• PruningLight prune
• Growth rateAverage
• Flower colourPink - light
• Flower formSemi-double flower (10-20 petals)
• Flowering monthMay
• Leaf colourGreen
• Leaf colour - autumnOrange / Red
• Country of originUnited Kingdom
• Annual cycleDeciduous

Similar varieties

• 
  Prunus
  Amanogawa
  The definitive columnar flowing cherry, widely grown in the UK.
• 
  Prunus
  Sunset Boulevard
  A large flowering cherry tree with a distinctive columnar form, and large single white flowers.
• Prunus
  Tiltstone Hellfire
  

What will it look like?

Illustrative example of a pot-grown tree of this variety as supplied. Approximate girth: 6/8cm. We try to keep all pot-grown trees down to about 1.5m as supplied, but some may be larger. Trees should reach their mature height after about 10 or more years.

How to choose a flowering cherry tree

We list more than 70 different flowering cherry trees. Choosing can be difficult! Our article explaining the different characteristics of flowering cherries might help narrow down the selection.