Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark P. lusitanica is a large evergreen shrub or small tree of spreading habit, the dark red shoots bearing deep green ovate leaves. Small, fragrant white flowers in racemes to 25cm in length in early summer, are followed by small, dark purple fruits Cultivation: Easy to grow in any moist but well-drained moderately fertile soil in sun or partial shade. Superb hedging shrub and even thrives on poor, shallow, chalky soils Propagation: Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer Suggested planting locations and garden type:s Drought Resistant Hedging & Screens Low Maintenance Diseases: May be affected by powdery mildews