Prunus First Blush - Evergreen Trees Direct

Prunus 'First Blush'

$265.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 1.4m – 2.1m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 4m to 6m (approx.)

Mature Width: 2.5m to 3.5m

Prunus 'First Blush' is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Contact

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Prunus 'First Blush'

Prunus 'First Blush' is a small deciduous flowering cherry, sold here as First Blush Cherry. It carries soft pink blossom along bare stems in spring, then opens fresh green leaves that turn warm bronze before autumn leaf fall. The habit is neatly rounded, branching low enough to read as a garden tree rather than a shade tree.

Grow it in full sun to light afternoon shade in soil that drains freely. It suits cool and temperate districts through southern Australia, including frost prone inland gardens, and colours best where winters are properly cold. Growth is moderate, roughly 30 to 50 centimetres a year, with some drought tolerance once the roots are down.

At 2.5 to 3.5 metres each way it fits courtyards, front gardens and narrow beds where a larger cherry would crowd. Plant it as a single specimen near a window or a seat, or in a loose group of three for a longer spring display. Small enough to keep, big enough to matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

About First Blush Cherry

What is Prunus 'First Blush'?

It is a compact deciduous flowering cherry in the rose family, Rosaceae, grown for its pink spring blossom rather than for fruit. The tree forms a rounded canopy on a short trunk, with broad green leaves that shift to bronze tones in autumn. It is not an Australian native, and it behaves much like other ornamental cherries in cool districts.

How big does First Blush Cherry grow?

Expect 2.5 to 3.5 metres in height and 2.5 to 3.5 metres across at maturity, so height and spread finish close to equal. That puts it firmly in the small tree bracket, well under the size of a Yoshino or Kanzan cherry. Allow roughly 3 to 4 metres between trees if you are planting more than one.

When does it flower?

Blossom appears in spring, generally September through to November depending on how far south and how high above sea level you are. In warmer coastal gardens flowering starts early and finishes quickly, while cold inland districts hold the display longer. Flowers open on bare or barely leafed stems, which is what makes the pink read so strongly against the branches.

Is it evergreen or deciduous?

Deciduous. The tree drops its leaves through the colder months and stands bare over winter, then flowers before the new foliage hardens off. That bare period is part of how it works in a garden, letting winter sun through to the ground and the windows behind it. Leaves return in spring and hold until autumn colour arrives.

Is it frost tolerant?

Yes. It handles frost well and needs a genuine cold season to flower reliably, so it is a sound choice for the tablelands, Victorian and Tasmanian gardens, and inland districts that drop below zero. Young trees appreciate shelter through their first winter, but established plants take normal southern Australian frosts without damage.

Can it grow in a pot?

It can be container grown for several years in a pot of at least 60 to 80 litres using a free draining mix. Growth slows and the tree stays smaller than it would in open ground. Water more often through summer, feed each spring, and plan to move it into the garden eventually if you want full size and a full flowering display.

How do I care for First Blush Cherry?

Water deeply through the first two summers, then only in long dry spells. Mulch to keep the root zone cool and keep that mulch clear of the trunk. Prune in late summer or early autumn rather than in winter, which lowers the risk of silver leaf and bacterial canker. Remove crossing wood and any suckers rising from below the graft.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Edible Garden
Feature Tree
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots

Prunus 'First Blush' works in an:

Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.

Is Prunus 'First Blush' Evergreen or Deciduous?

Prunus 'First Blush' is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 4m to 6m (approx.)

Mature Width: 2.5m to 3.5m

Prunus 'First Blush' is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Growth Rate of Prunus 'First Blush'

Prunus 'First Blush' is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Prunus 'First Blush'

Is Prunus 'First Blush' frost tolerant?

Prunus 'First Blush' is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Prunus 'First Blush' Flower?

Prunus ‘First Blush’ produces masses of soft pink blossoms in late winter to early spring, often opening on bare branches before the foliage appears. The delicate blooms create a beautiful early-season display, transitioning from pale blush tones to near-white as they mature.

Does Prunus 'First Blush' flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Clustered

Flower Colour:

Pink

Is Prunus 'First Blush' an Australian Native Tree?

No

Prunus 'First Blush' is Native to A modern ornamental Prunus hybrid, developed for decorative use. Parent species originate from Asia and Europe, where they grow naturally in temperate woodlands.

What is the Wildlife Value of Prunus 'First Blush' ?

Its early spring flowers attract bees and pollinating insects when few other species are in bloom. The small summer fruits provide food for birds, while the branching canopy offers perching, shelter and nesting opportunities — adding biodiversity value to ornamental and residential plantings.

How much Sunlight does Prunus 'First Blush' need?

Prunus 'First Blush' will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Prunus ‘First Blush’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained areas unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to improve aeration and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support reliable flowering, healthy foliage and strong seasonal performance.

Is Prunus 'First Blush' Drought Tolerant?

Is Prunus 'First Blush' Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established ‘First Blush’ develops moderate drought tolerance. It performs reliably in warm, dry and urban climates, maintaining healthy growth and consistent flowering with deep, occasional watering during extended dry periods.

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How To Plant Your Prunus 'First Blush'

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun with good air movement and room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and a light dressing of aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth, avoiding any low spot where water might pool.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Prunus 'First Blush'

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Prunus 'First Blush' is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Prunus 'First Blush'

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 centimetre layer of organic mulch or pine bark over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk to avoid waterlogging at the base.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection for psyllids or scale in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Prunus 'First Blush' in Different Soil

Prunus First Blush performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is sharp and waterlogging is avoided.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting, and mound slightly to lift the root zone.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent foliage colour.

pH: Neutral preferred. A light dressing of dolomite suits most conifers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: When is the best time to plant 'First Blush' Cherry?

A: Early spring or late fall is the ideal time for planting 'First Blush' Cherry, when the tree is dormant or just breaking dormancy.

Q: Are 'First Blush' Cherries suitable for smaller gardens?

A: Yes, 'First Blush' Cherry's compact size makes it an excellent choice for smaller gardens, courtyards, and urban landscapes.

Q: Do these cherry trees produce fruit?

A: 'First Blush' Cherry trees are primarily ornamental and are not typically grown for fruit production. Their main attraction is their stunning blossoms and attractive foliage.