About
Bears small, white flowers in early spring, before the leaves, followed by bright red, sour but edible fruit, 1cm across, turning yellow when fully ripe in late summer. A large, suckering shrub if left to develop naturally, but can be trained as a small tree up to 6m high. Has glossy, red-brown bark on young branches and shiny, narrowly oval, dark green leaves.
About the genus
Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy, Suckering
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toS. USA
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any moist but well-drained, moderately fertile soil preferably in full sun
PruningPruning group 1, ideally in summer to reduce the risk of silver leaf infection
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in containers outdoors in autumn; or by softwood cuttings, with bottom heat, in early summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids and caterpillars
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus. High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa