Prunus virginiana
chokecherry

Notes:

Sunset says this species is good all the way south to zone 32, even though Dirr says it stops at USDA zone 5 and JerseyYards.org at 6a. Missouri BG says zone 7. Basically, what I'm saying is that there is no consensus here.

Dirr, Missouri BG, and Cal Poly claim fragrant flowers, even though the other sources didn't see fit to mention it. Branch strength is debated. Poor compartmentalizer of decay. USDA claims allelopathy.

'Canada Red' has foliage that emerges green but turns to purple for the rest of the growing season. 'Canada Red Improved' and 'Canada Red Select' (Schubert Select) are similar but grow faster and straighter and are therefore preferred for single-trunk use. 'P002S' (Sucker Punch) is also purple, slower growing (therefore expected to mature smaller), and claims to be free of suckers but is still too new to know for sure.

Sources: White Oak, Sunset, Dirr, UFL, JerseyYards.org, Missouri BG, Cal Poly, USDA, Dirr/Warren.

Tags:

acidic soil preferred
attracts:bees
attracts:birds (ex-humming)
attracts:butterflies
attracts:larval host
attracts:mammals
clay tolerant
deer sensitive
drought tolerant
edible fruit
exposure:full sun
fall color notable
fast-growing
fire risk low
form:multi-trunked
form:shrub
form:trainable to single trunk
form:tree
fragrant flowers
full sun preferred
habit:irregular
habit:oval
habit:rounded
habit:upright
infertile soil tolerant
litter:fruit
native:eastern North America
persistence:deciduous
pruning not required
rich soil preferred
roots:low damage potential
salt tolerant
sandy soil tolerant
short-lived
showy flowers
stoloniferous/suckering
type:broadleaf
use:border
use:foundation
use:hedge
use:naturalizing
use:screen
use:specimen
water:moderate to little
water:regular
well-drained soil required
WON high-value plant


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