Honest review: Cherry Blossom is rewarding but scale insects or aphids in the canopy attracting sooty mould is real

Cherry Blossom is a genuinely satisfying plant to grow, but I want to be upfront about one thing: scale insects or aphids in the canopy attracting sooty mould. I've dealt with it twice now and it takes consistent attention to manage.

Beyond that, exceptional seasonal spectacle from blossom through autumn colour makes it one of my favourites in the collection. I keep it in a boundary or avenue planting in a larger space which suits it well. Learning about staking correctly with a low stake to allow the trunk to flex and strengthen has been essential. autumn colour and fruit or berry display is worth waiting for — the plant really justifies itself then. Four stars because of that persistent issue.