I heard on the radio recently that the sight of spring blossom on the trees is officially good for us all. Now, this is something that most gardeners already know, without having a Radio 4 presenter point it out, but apparently it's something built into our collective minds, put there by our hunter/gatherer ancestors who saw spring blossom as a sign of a crop of fruit to follow. These days we are just as likely to plant trees for their blossom alone as for any fruit crop, but there are still plenty of species around that will provide both fruit and flowers. Whilst ornamental cherries produce no edible crop, the blossom of apples, pears, plums and damsons is usually followed by fruit worth harvesting.

The flowering cherries planted in many of our towns provide a fine display to follow the daffodils each year, but I can't help thinking that we could be planting a much wider variety of blossoming trees. Why are there so many specimens of Prunus Kansan' (the dark pink flowered one with the stiff, upright branches) and Prunus Aamanogawa' (the pale pink one)and so few other varieties? It's possible that these are the most easily propagated and hence the most readily and cheaply available varieties, or it may be that these are trees that stand up particularly well to pollution and urban conditions in general. Whatever the reason, I personally think it shows a lack of imagination on the part of the planters, both councils and private individuals. I'd like to see a much wider range of blossom each spring, in all shapes, sizes and colours. Here are a few suggestions:

Peach blossom - Prunus persica Prince Charming', solitary double, blush-pink flowers followed by edible fruits (though they may need cooking first).

Almond blossom - Prunus dulcis Roseoplena', double pink flowers on an upright spreading tree, the flowers followed by velvety green fruit that contain almond nuts.

The Judas tree - Cercis siliquastrum, a slow growing, spreading tree with heart-shaped leaves and clusters of purple-pink flowers each spring (it's in the pea family!).

Crab apples - Malus floribunda, Malus Profusion and Malus baccata var mandschurica are all good trees for blossom. The flowers are followed by brightly-coloured fruits in autumn.

Pyrus calleryana - Chanticleer', a species of pear tree with elegant white flowers, this tree is especially suitable for growing in small gardens.

White varieties of flowering cherry - Prunus Mount Fuji', Prunus avium' Plena', Prunus Tai Haku' and Prunus Ukon'.

The common medlar - Mespilus germanica; a spreading tree or large shrub with white flowers in late spring and good autumn foliage colour.

May 1, 2003 10:00