Spectacular, starry pink flowers. Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: any moist, well-drained soil, including chalk Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: April Hardiness: fully hardy A beautiful, rounded, small tree or large shrub which flowers on bare branches. In mid spring, it is smothered in rose to blush pink, star-shaped flowers with long, narrow petals that emerge from darker pink buds. The leaves are mid green and the tree is deciduous. An elegant choice for a small garden. It can also tolerate chalky soils. Garden care: Requires minimal pruning. Remove any broken, diseased or crossing branches in midsummer. The best time to plant is in April, adding plenty of ericaceous compost to the planting hole, in a sheltered spot. Mulch in spring with manure and leafmould, especially on dry soils.
