I am not sure if the Amelanchier gets it's common name 'Snowy mespilus' because is has brilliant white flowers or because it is not uncommon to see it in flower when there is snow on the ground.
There are two plants that I love to see in March, one is Iberis sempervirens - Iberis is mesmerising in the twilight as the flowers do not close up and stay bright right until you can see no more - and the other is Amelanchier.
Just across from where I lived in Oakhanger, on the S.S.I. site was a clump of mature Amelanchier bushes at about 12 feet. One in particular (I assume the the oldest) was dominant in the group and in the fourteen years I lived there, never failed to shine.
It didn't matter if the temperature was below zero, the 'star like' flowers would still come out. I also enjoy seeing the leaves unfurl too. They are dark pink and as they unfold give the appearance of a prawn. The flesh of the leaf looks so delicate but yet obviously so hardy.
The Amelanchier is a native of North America and is completely hardy making it ideal for all of the United Kingdom. It can be described as a tree but you are unlikely to get more than fifteen feet in height and it is difficult to train any single leader.
Quite often used as a screen or informal hedge because it is densely packed and what is more, in the Autumn it glows as though it is on fire making it a valuable shrub to have around.
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