There’s a certain romance to stories of outsiders. You know, the rebels who play by their own rules, often against conventional wisdom, to weave their own path and daring to stand out. Apple famously launched the ‘Think Different’ campaign in 1997, with the aim of appealing to our own inner outsider, stating their computers to be for “...the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes…”
Well, it seems the ‘apple’ doesn’t fall far from the tree. More specifically it doesn’t fall far from the Flowering Plum Tree. Because let’s face it - there’s nothing even slightly rebellious about real apples. They are wholesome and good. On the other hand, the Flowering Plum Tree is a bit of a rebel. When Spring landscapes are full of healthy green shoots of life, its leaves are a deep purple. It goes rogue with a visual statement that adds drama and intrigue. It rebels against the norm. In fact, even the name of this week's tree stands out…
Like all rebels, there’s a softer underside. With the ‘Thundercloud’, it’s the pale pink blossom that reveals itself in Spring, providing a surprisingly gentle aesthetic in contrast to the deep purple of just a few weeks previous. But ever the rebel, it’ll blossom earlier than other trees, a mark of defiance that’s welcome as the seasons change.
PRUNUS cerasifera ‘Thundercloud’ - Flowering Plum Tree
This beautiful tree is very well suited to group plantings (yes, the rebellion can grow) and avenue locations. Or it is naturally wonderful as a specimen tree. Either way, this rogue of nature has a unique charm that draws you in. So if you wish to add a bit of rakish character to your garden, we recommend it.
- Upright, hardy tree
- Suitable for avenue or group planting
- Deciduous, can grow up to 4x3m
