Nanking Cherry (Prunus tomentosa) – 1 gallon pot

Description

Fragrant white spring flowers, shiny reddish-brown bark, and edible scarlet fruit make the Nanking cherry a favorite for mass plantings and borders. This is a vigorous, adaptable shrub particularly suited to the cold winters and hot summers of the central and northern plains of the United States and Canada. And the dense branching pattern means the shrub is also well-suited for use as a windbreak filler, hedge, or wildlife habitat.

The tart, tangy fruit ripen in mid- to late summer and can be eaten fresh or used in pies, jams, and jellies. The Nanking cherry typically grows to a height of 6–10′ and a spread about 15′ at maturity. This shrub grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24″ per year. The Nanking cherry adapts to a variety of soil conditions and pH levels. It prefers well-drained soil but will tolerate drought and can grow in semi-arid conditions. Full sun is the ideal condition for this shrub, meaning it should get at least 6 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.