Oemleria cerasiformis

April is one of the most floriferous times in the Gardens with gorgeous camellias, magnolias, cherries and rhododendrons coming into blossom, but added to their beauty is a quietly elegant shrub that possibly goes unnoticed most of the year.

Native of western North America from Santa Barbara in California to British Columbia, the Oso berry grows in rocky valleys and canyons. It was introduced to the UK in 1848, and is normally one of the earliest shrubs to flower. Oemleria cerasiformis is a deciduous suckering shrub usually 6ft (1.8m) high, forming a thicket of erect stems. The delicate greenish white flowers are almond-scented, and are followed by plum-like fruits, purple when ripe. Oemleria was named in honour of Augustus Gottlieb Oemler, a German-born pharmacist and naturalist in Georgia, USA. Specimens can be found at the entrance to the Woodland Garden (area Q on downloadable map), and also in the Evolution Garden (area P).

The great 19th century gardener, William Robinson wrote ‘Hardly before winter is past, its abundant drooping racemes of white flowers appear … usually before the leaves.’