amateur returns with photo Hi -- As promised, I have returned. Checked to see that my first post went through and, yay, it did, so now I'm attaching a photo (600x802 pixels). This is a picture of the pretty little mystery bush in our back yard. It has just started to produce blossoms this year, so the picture is from last year when it was in full bloom and the leaves were beginning to come out. I'm very fond of it, but I would like to know its name, so that I may be fond of it personally. Looking forward to hearing from the experts. This is only the third time I've had a garden... one in a Vancouver suburb, one in the dry regions of the BC interior, and now here, in southeastern Alberta, so any help would be appreciated. Kay L D
In this view, looks like an almond tree (Prunus dulcis). Maybe it is growing as a shrub there because of the cold climate. Any sign of these being stump sprouts, indicating it has frozen back in the past? If it is an almond tree it will produce the characterstic willowlike (narrowish) leaves. Purpleleaf sand cherry is customarily Prunus x cistena. It has smaller flowers on longer stalks, accompanied by purple leaves.
Two replies suggesting Prunus of some sort. I agree with Jimmy and with Ron B, thinking it must be a prunus, but of what sort I don't know. Doesn't have the narrow leaves Ron B mentioned for almond, nor does it have purple leaves of the sand cherry. The leaves, as I recall from last year (none are out yet this year) are ribbed, with serrated edges, and a bright green similar to the background behind "Reply to Thread" here on this page. They (leaves) are about an inch long and 5/8 to 3/4 inch wide, if memory serves.
Starting to lose definition, but the leaves near the bottom left corner should give you an idea what they're going to look like when out.
Aha. Ron, I think you've got it. I looked up prunus tomentosa and found a closeup of the leaves of the Nanking or Manchu cherry. Yes, definitely those English-Elm-looking leaves. And it isn't self-pollinating, so that would explain why we've never seen fruit. Will have to get another one and see what happens -- I understand the fruit is enjoyed by rabbits as well as birds. We have wild rabbits in the neighbourhood, and plenty of birds except when the Merlin Falcons are nesting in our poplars. Thanks! Kay
