Prunus virginiana (Chokecherry) is a suckering small tree or large shrub adorned with an irregular, oval-rounded crown clothed in elliptic, sharply toothed leaves. Dark green above and gray-green beneath, they turn brilliant golden-yellow and orange in the fall. In mid-spring, a profusion of fragrant, cup-shaped, white flowers held in elongated clusters, up to 6 in. long (15 cm), smother the bare branches and create a terrific floral display. The blossoms give way to clusters of rounded, pea-sized, red berries that ripen to dark purple-black in late summer. Attractive to birds and other wildlife, the berries are tart when raw but can be harvested for processing into jams, jellies, pies, and sauces.

• Grows up to 20-30 ft. tall (6-9 m) and 15-20 ft. wide (4-6 m). Will sucker to form colonies in the wild.
• Performs best in full sun or part shade in dry to medium, well-drained soils. Best flower production is obtained in full sun. Drought tolerant. Tolerates high pH and clay soils.
• Perfect choice for shrub borders, open woodland gardens, or native plant areas.
• Susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, Japanese beetles, spider mites, black knot, leaf spot, die back, leaf curl, powdery mildew, root rot, and fireblight.
• Promptly remove suckers to prevent any undesired spread.
• This plant has low severity poison characteristics. Stems, leaves, and seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
• Native from Newfoundland to Saskatchewan south to North Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, and Kansas.