Flowering Cherry 'Royal Burgundy'

Where to Plant
Choose a position in full sun with moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. 'Royal Burgundy' will grow in chalk, clay, loam or sandy soils, provided excess water can drain freely. A sunny position will help encourage good flowering and bring out the rich colour of the foliage.

Planting Your Bare-Root Tree
Plant while the tree is dormant, avoiding periods when the ground is frozen or waterlogged. Unpack the tree promptly and soak the roots in a bucket of water for around 30 minutes before planting. Dig a hole wide enough for the roots to spread out naturally without bending or crowding them.

Look for the soil mark on the stem showing the level at which the tree was previously growing. Position the tree so this mark is level with the surrounding soil, with the roots below ground and the graft union remaining above soil level. Spread the roots naturally, backfill with the excavated soil, gently firm and water thoroughly.

Staking
Stake the tree when planting to keep it stable while the roots establish. Position the stake so it supports the tree without rubbing against the stem, secure with a suitable tree tie and check the tie regularly. Once the tree is firmly established and able to support itself, the stake can be removed.

Watering
Water regularly throughout the first growing season, particularly during warm or dry weather. Newly planted trees need consistent moisture while their roots establish. Continue to water during prolonged dry spells over the first few years, but avoid keeping the ground permanently wet.

Feeding & Mulching
Apply a layer of well-rotted garden compost or organic mulch around the base in spring to help conserve moisture and suppress weeds, keeping it clear of the trunk. If growth needs a boost, apply a balanced tree and shrub fertiliser in spring according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Pruning
Very little routine pruning is required. Remove dead, damaged, diseased or badly positioned growth where necessary. If pruning is needed, carry it out during summer when the tree is actively growing rather than in winter, to reduce the risk of silver leaf disease.

Pests & Problems
Flowering cherries can occasionally be affected by aphids, caterpillars, leaf-mining moths, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and silver leaf. Good growing conditions, well-drained soil and avoiding unnecessary winter pruning will help keep the tree healthy.

Make It a Feature
With pink spring blossom, dark burgundy summer foliage and fiery autumn colour, 'Royal Burgundy' deserves a position where it can be appreciated throughout the growing season. Plant as a specimen in a lawn or give it plenty of room towards the back of a large border.

Contrast Planting
The dark foliage creates a fantastic backdrop for lighter planting. Try combining it with white, pale pink or soft purple flowers, or use fresh green foliage around it to really show off the rich burgundy leaves.

Spring Planting Ideas
Underplant with spring bulbs such as white narcissus, pale tulips or muscari to create another layer of colour beneath the rose-pink blossom.

Formal & Contemporary Gardens
The upright, vase-shaped habit and dark foliage give 'Royal Burgundy' a strong architectural presence, making it equally at home in formal planting and more contemporary garden designs.

Top Tip:
Give the tree enough open space for its shape to develop naturally. The combination of dark foliage and an upright spreading crown makes it particularly effective when viewed against a lighter background.

Spring Blossom
Clusters of deep rose-pink double flowers appear in spring alongside the emerging coppery-purple foliage, creating one of the tree's most colourful displays of the year.

Summer Foliage
As the season progresses, the leaves deepen to rich burgundy-purple, giving the tree strong colour and presence even after the flowers have finished.

Autumn Colour
The foliage changes again in autumn, developing fiery bronze, orange, red and scarlet shades before falling.

Winter
'Royal Burgundy' is deciduous and naturally loses its leaves in autumn. The branching structure remains visible through winter before new growth and blossom return in spring.

Top Tip:
Very little pruning is needed. Allow the tree to develop its natural vase-shaped form and, if pruning becomes necessary, carry it out during summer rather than winter.

Potted Trees
Potted trees arrive growing in a container and can generally be planted throughout the year, provided the ground isn't frozen, waterlogged or exceptionally dry. If you can't plant immediately, keep the tree outdoors in a sheltered position and water the compost as needed.

Bare-Root Trees
Your bare-root tree will arrive dormant, without a pot or compost around its roots, ready for planting. It will have no leaves at this stage, which is completely normal – once temperatures rise in spring, it will naturally come back into active growth. Unpack your tree promptly, keep the roots moist and plant as soon as possible.

What Does Grafted Mean?
Many ornamental trees are grafted, which means the chosen variety is joined to a compatible rootstock so the two grow together as one tree. The rootstock helps influence characteristics such as vigour and eventual size. You may notice a slightly raised area where the two have been joined – this is the graft union and is completely normal.

If You Can't Plant Straight Away
If planting is delayed, keep bare roots cool, moist and protected. For more than a short delay, temporarily heel the roots into moist soil in a sheltered position until conditions are suitable for planting.

After Planting
Newly planted trees need regular watering while they establish, particularly during dry weather in their first growing season. A spring mulch can help conserve moisture and suppress weeds, but always leave a clear gap around the trunk or stems.