Prunus virginiana (Chokecherry)
Chokecherry, American Chokecherry, Virginian Bird Cherry
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.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 2
– 7 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 10, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Prunus - Flowering Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Late) Fall |
Height | 20' – 30' (6m – 9m) |
Spread | 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | United States, California, Southeast, Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Southwest, Texas |
Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden |
Nick Pecker, Pierre Williot, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 2
– 7 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 10, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Prunus - Flowering Trees |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Late) Fall |
Height | 20' – 30' (6m – 9m) |
Spread | 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | United States, California, Southeast, Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Southwest, Texas |
Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden |