Appearance

Appearance

This deciduous, multistemmed shrub usually reaches 4–5 ft (1.2–1.5 m) tall and 3–4 ft (0.9–1.2 m) wide.

Leaves

The narrow leaves are about 1–3.5 in (2.5–9 cm) long and have fine teeth along the edge.

Flowers

Single or double white or pink flowers open in spring.

Fruit

It can produce small red fruits.

Look-alikes

Double flowering plumPrunus triloba

Double flowering plum is usually larger, with broader, more coarsely toothed leaves and flowers about 1.4–1.6 in (3.5–4 cm) wide. Flowering almond has narrower leaves and smaller flowers.

Why they get mixed up · Both are grown for double pink spring flowers, and both may be called flowering almond in the U.S.

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• gardens
• shrub borders

Range

It is native to central and southern China and southwestern Korea. It has also been recorded as introduced in Alabama, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, and Ontario.

Preferred conditions

It grows best in full sun to partial shade and in soil that drains well. It performs poorly where the roots stay wet.

Growing it

Care

It is grown in USDA hardiness zones 4a–8b. Gardeners value the double-flowered forms, but the shrub needs good drainage.

Name and classification

About the name

Cerasus glandulosa and Microcerasus glandulosa are older names for this species. “Flowering almond” can also mean double flowering plum (Prunus triloba).

Varieties and forms

Garden selections include double white and double pink flowers.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

DDData Deficient·Not enough data yet to assess