Prunus ‘Fugenzo’ first appeared in 1990, amongst the cherry trees of Suma-ura Park in Kobe, Japan, with flower characteristics unlike anything seen before in the world of ornamental cherries. The blooms emerge soft yellow-green or creamy white, gradually turning shades of pink as they age. Held in hanging clusters of five, each double flower contains more than 30 tissue-like petals that reportedly unfurl like a Japanese paper lantern, hence its full name, Prunus ‘Samaura Fugenzo Japanese Lantern™’
The blooms display two small, leaf-like pistils at their centre and as the flowers emerge in early spring, they are accompanied by young copper-hued leaves, which mature to green before turning to a warm shade of orange in autumn.
A medium-sized ornamental cherry, with a naturally spreading habit, it can be used both in a traditional as well as modern garden setting. Reliable, the tree nursery explains that it observed no susceptibility to black-fly aphids, exhibits good frost tolerance, and displays strong resistance to bacterial blossom and foliage infections.
“This tree is a treasure , it’s rare to find such distinctive ornamental character combined with garden resilience. Its flowers don’t just bloom, they perform, evolving in colour and form like a slow-moving firework display,” said Nick Dunn, Third Generation at Frank P Matthews.
A quirky new redbud, Cercis canadensis ‘Zig Zag®’ has extraordinary structure and colour. With its strikingly angular branch structure, fuchsia coloured blooms, glossy foliage and rich autumn colour, this compact redbud brings something unusual to British gardens. Very much as the name suggests, the branch growth is organised in a distinct zig-zag pattern and creates an architectural silhouette. In early spring, the branches are studded with deep fuchsia-pink, pea-like flowers. Following this floral flourish, heart-shaped green leaves unfurl, creating a
dense summer canopy. In the autumn, the leaves take on vibrant shades of orange and red.
“Zig Zag® is a brilliantly characterful tree. It’s visually dynamic through every season, from its graphic winter form to its glowing autumn leaves. It’s a superb performer that fits into gardens large and small,” adds Steph Dunn, Director, Frank P Matthews.
Compact, the new Cercis will grow to height and spread of 3 metres and can be grown as a multi-stem shrub or small tree. Light pruning only if shaping is needed. Hardy and adaptable, Frank P Matthews advises that Zig Zag® grows well across all UK regions and performs best in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in either full sun or partial shade.
Prunus ‘Japanese Lantern™’and Cercis canadensis ‘Zig Zag®’ will be available to purchase from 1st July 2025.
