Prunus himalaica, Battleston Hill, RHS Gardens Wisley
Equally as stunning as Prunus serrula, (but with a darker, richer tea/walnut tone where the former is more shining copper), the rain-streaked bark of the Himalayan Cherry. A multi-stemmed example on the main flank of Battleston Hill (between two very fine peeling specimens of Acer griseum). I had always thought the copper-cousin would win a place in my imagined new garden, but this is serious competition. I’ll have to find some more information (Dirr’s Encyclopedia perhaps) and compare the blossom.
I shall be polishing this beautiful bark to a high sheen, have no doubt, if one ever becomes mine!
The Teddington Gardener 