Almonds from the Flowering Almond Shrub

From In the Garden

I am always delighted to grow some fruits, nuts, or whatever in my garden, though I don't set out to do so. Case in point, my flowering quince bore fruit last year for me. What a surprise that was! Last year also saw some almonds growing on my flowering almond, aka Prunus glandulosa 'Rosea Plena' and this year has brought a bumper crop of them.

From In the Garden

I don't think these are the kind of almonds humans would want to consume because when I cracked open a very brown almond the inside seed was a bit dried up. It may be that I did not pick it at the right time but that is fine because it is not my intent to eat these nuts. I am hoping the birds will enjoy the nuts. In the meantime I really like the ornamental value of these hairy nuts in my small shrub.

From In the Garden

The whole shrub itself is not really much to look at. I have mine growing next to a chain link fence on the north side of my home in the backyard. The border directly behind this fence is part of my Northside Shrub Border. This shrub is surrounded by viburnums and hydrangeas and gets barely any sun. That however has not fazed the shrub. It has steadily grown a bit each of the past six years I've been growing it and has never failed to bloom. Late freezes, droughts, and pests are never a problem for this flowering almond. I've also never fertilized, pruned or watered this shrub. It is a real keeper for me in my garden and the hairy almonds are a bonus....

in the garden....


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In the Garden