Description

Full sun, Zone 2

Prunus tomentosa 

Pot size #1, #2, #5

This versatile tall and wide-spreading shrub is covered in showy powder pink flowers in early spring before the leaves, followed by tangy red cherries, also interesting peeling reddish-brown bark; great as an accent or edible hedge.

Nanking Cherry is a medium-sized shrub that is typically grown for its edible qualities, although it does have ornamental merits as well. It produces small cherry red round fruit (technically ‘drupes’) with red flesh which are usually ready for picking from early to mid summer. Note that the fruits have hard inedible pits inside which must be removed before eating or processing. The fruits have a sweet taste and a juicy texture.