This venerable tree is coming into full bloom above the Lake.
Prunus serrulata ‘Alboplena’ is a late-flowering ornamental cherry with a broad, short habit. Here it has a distinct form and character, providing a spectacular backdrop to the lake. Emerging from short, twiggy spurs are a mass of double white blooms. These give rise to the cultivar name ‘Alboplena’, which means ‘with double white flowers’. This is one of numerous flowering cherries whose blossom heralds the start of spring. The species P. serrulata was introduced into western gardens in 1822 from Canton, China, and is native to China and Japan.