walnut 'Lara'
walnut
This plant is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
- Position: Full sun
- Soil: Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: Average
- Flowering period: May to June
- Hardiness: Fully hardy
'Lara' impresses with abundant and early harvests of delicious walnuts on a compact tree ideal for smaller gardens. This variety begins budbreak and nut ripening earlier than most, and has an upright habit yielding large thin-shelled nuts that can be harvested green in early autumn for pickling or left on the tree to fully ripen for drying and storage. The nuts have a prized creamy flavour and smooth texture.
Though a relatively compact variety if left unpruned they can reach up to 6-7m tall when mature, however with regular careful pruning they can easily be maintained at around 3-4m tall. Regular pruning will also encourage bigger crops of nuts. Pruning should be undertaken between late summer and autumn to avoid excessive bleeding. When planting incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost in the planting hole and stake firmly. Prefers to be planted in a sunny, sheltered position with no frost pockets. Will tolerate many soil types but are happiest in light, sandy, well-drained soils. It is self-fertile and therefore does not require a pollination companion. Walnut trees may be slow to establish but will begin to produce nuts after about four years.