February
Flowering Almond (Prunus triloba) – Ornamental almond trees bear flowers early in February or March before their leaves appear. The flowers are produced on wood from past season, so that pruning while it is dormant will reduce the number of flowers. The five-petal blooms may be either white or pink, about 1 ½ to 2 inches in diameter. Some may be double. The flowers of these ornamental trees give way to insignificant fruits.
April
Flowering Almond (Prunus triloba) – Optional - While ornamental almond shrubs do not require routine pruning, they will benefit from a major pruning immediately after they bloom in the spring if you want to take the time. Pruning is okay this month through June. Cut back each upright stem several inches (about 1/3rd of its length) to stimulate increased blooming next season. This also helps to forestall mildew attack. Of course, it is important to prune away the occasional broken or diseased branch whenever one is discovered
May
Flowering Almond (Prunus triloba) – A 2 to 3 inch layer of some attractive organic material spread on the soil over the roots of ornamental almond shrubs protects them. For more details go to yardener.com; key words “Using Mulch”
June
Flowering Almond (Prunus triloba) – Shrubs and young trees do not usually need watering except when they are first planted, when there is a drought. Well-established older shrubs need watering only in severe drought.
September
Flowering Almond (Prunus triloba) – Some varieties show a bit of autumn color, usually yellow. Almond foliage is deciduous, dropping in the fall.
Optional - If you want more Flowering Almond (Prunus triloba), plant them this month or next month. Ornamental almond shrubs like sun, but they can handle some light shade. They like well-drained soil that is somewhat acid (pH 6.5 to 7.5). They are inclined to develop chlorosis, yellowing foliage, if the soil is not sufficiently acid.
Optional - The fall is an important time to fertilize all shrubs either this month or next month. Sprinkle one cup of slow-acting granular all-purpose fertilizer on the soil under each tree out to the distance from the trunk to the tips of its branches (its drip line).
October
Flowering Almond (Prunus triloba) – In the first two or three years after planting a Flowering Almond, it is wise to make sure it gets a deep watering a week or two before the ground freezes in your neighborhood. After three years, that task is only necessary if you have had a serious drought in the fall.
