Dwarf Russian almond

Dwarf Russian almond: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Low, densely branched shrub about 1 m tall and wide, which produces suckers.

Foliage

Narrow and lance-shaped, a few centimetres long, glossy dark green with a slightly toothed edge.

Flowers

Bright pink, saucer-shaped flowers about 2 cm across, in April, close along the branches.

Fruit

Small, downy, almond-like fruits in summer; the kernel is bitter.

Roots

It forms underground suckers, with which it slowly builds a dense clump.

Flowering: April · Plants: March–April and October–November · Pruning: April–May

Why grow it?

• A cloud of bright pink flowers in April, on a low shrub.
• Bees and other early insects find nectar and pollen there.
• Extremely hardy and drought-tolerant.
• Narrow, glossy leaves that stay fresh all summer.
• Low maintenance: grows in full sun and even in poor, dry soil.
• Thanks to its suckers it forms a dense, low clump that covers the ground, lovely on a bank.

Dwarf Russian almond: where does it grow best?

• Full sun; in shade it flowers less abundantly.
• Well-drained soil: sand, loam or clay, acid to chalky; poor, dry soil is no problem.
• Dry to normally moist; it tolerates drought, but not wet feet.
• Tolerates wind and frost, but the blossom can be damaged in April by late night frosts.
• Allow 80–100 cm per plant; allow for suckers and do not plant right next to a lawn.

Light

Sun

Soil type

Sand, loam or clay

Acidity

Not fussy

Moisture

Dry or normal

Size

1 m tall, 1 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -35 °C)

Goes well with

• Daffodils: Yellow flowers beneath the pink blossom, at the same time.
• Grape hyacinth: Blue flowers that go well with the pink.
• Lavender: Likes the same sun and dry soil; takes over later in summer.
• Ornamental grasses: Soft stems as a backdrop to the low shrub.

Dwarf Russian almond: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–April and October–November.

1. Plant in October–November or in March–April, when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and mix in a little compost.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as in its pot and firm the soil well.
4. Leave 80–100 cm between plants; for a group, plant three or five together.
5. Water thoroughly straight away, then weekly in dry weather during the first year.
6. Spread a layer of compost or bark around the plants; to limit suckers, install a root barrier.

Care

Water

In the first year, weekly in dry weather. After that it copes well with drought.

Feeding

A little compost or organic fertiliser in March. Do not overdo it: too much feeding gives soft growth and fewer flowers.

Mulching

A layer of compost or bark keeps the soil moist and suppresses weeds.

Suckers

In spring or autumn, remove unwanted suckers with a sharp spade.

Tip: Plant it in full sun and cut a few old branches right down to the ground after flowering: it stays compact and flowers abundantly. Remove unwanted suckers with a spade.

Dwarf Russian almond: when to prune it?

Pruning months: April–May.

When: Straight after flowering, in April–May.

How:

• Every 2–3 years, cut some of the oldest branches right down to the ground, to give new shoots room.
• Shorten the faded branches lightly, by about a third, for a compact shape.
• Remove dead, weak and damaged branches.

Caution: Do not prune in winter or before flowering: you would cut off the flower buds.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Suckers

From October to March, dig out a rooted sucker with a spade and replant it elsewhere straight away.

Seed

Sow fresh seed in autumn in a pot outdoors; it needs a cold period to germinate and comes up in spring.

Dwarf Russian almond: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −35 °C.

• Extremely hardy, down to about −35 °C: no protection is needed, even in hard Belgian winters.
• The April blossom can be damaged by late night frosts; cover the shrub with horticultural fleece on cold nights.
• In a pot it can stay outside; stand the pot on feet and wrap it in hessian in hard frost.

Diseases and pests

• Brown rot (Monilia): Blossom and young twigs wilt and turn brown in a damp spring. Cut affected branches back well into healthy wood and clear away the waste.
• Aphids: Small aphids on young shoots in spring. A jet of water is usually enough.
• Shot hole: Small holes in the leaves after brown spots. Clear away affected leaves and choose an airy position.
• Spreading: Because of the suckers, it pops up in unexpected places. Remove them every year or install a root barrier.

Through the year

• March: Plant. Apply compost. Remove suckers.
• April: Flowering: bright pink flowers with bees. Prune after flowering.
• May: Prune after flowering. Protect blossom on cold nights.
• June: The little fruits form. Water in dry weather.
• July: Water in dry weather, especially young plants.
• October: Plant. Remove and replant suckers.
• November: Plant. Mulch.

Good for wildlife

Bees

Nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees.

Did you know?

• Dwarf Russian almond is related to the true almond, the peach and the plum: they all belong to the genus Prunus.
• The species name tenella means ‘delicate’ or ‘fine’.
• The cultivar ‘Fire Hill’ is known for its deep pink flowers.