Information on the Dwarf Flowering Almond
Originating in China and Japan, the Dwarf Flowering Almond is a flowering shrub commonly used as a border or specimen plant. This shrub grows at a moderate rate, and can be planted in a container and placed on a patio or balcony if space is an issue. The shrub is primarily grown for its beautiful show of flowers in the spring. Despite its name, it does not produce almonds. Does this Spark an idea?
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Features
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The Dwarf Flowering Almond shrub will grow 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. White or pink flowers bloom in the spring before the leaves emerge. Some varieties of the Dwarf Flowering Almond boast double flowers. The leaves are green and rarely change color in the autumn before falling from the tree, but, if well-pruned, are lush and thick throughout the summer. According to the University of Illinois, fruits are uncommon on this shrub, but are small and red, and may appear after flowering.
Cultivars
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Several cultivars of Dwarf Flowering Almond are available. All have similar growing habits and require the same growing conditions. Alba Plena boasts double white flowers. Alba has single white blooms. Rosea Plena has a double pink flower. Lawrence is a rarer cultivar, and has a single white-pink flower
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Growing Conditions
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The Dwarf Almond requires full sun and moist, but well-drained, soil. According to the University of Connecticut, once this shrub is established, it is moderately drought-tolerant. The Dwarf Almond is hardy from USDA Zones 5 to 9, and can tolerate a bit of wind.
Care
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It's important to prune the Dwarf Flowering Almond after the flowers have bloomed. This will encourage better blooming the following year, and keep the shrub from opening up and appearing unkempt. Water from the bottom to avoid fungal growth on the leaves of the shrub. Fertilize your Dwarf Flowering Almond with a general purpose fertilizer in the spring, before new growth emerges and according to the package directions.
Pests
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The Dwarf Flowering Almond is susceptible to many diseases such as fire blight, leaf spot, powdery mildew, and verticillium wilt. Insects that may attack your plant include borers Japanese beetles, aphids and spider mites. According to the University of Illinois, mice have also been a problem for the Dwarf Flowering Almond. Because of the large number of potential pests, the plant has an expected life span of only 10 years.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit White flowers on trees image by Katya Mikhlin from Fotolia.com
