Canada Red Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana 'Canada Red'
Height: 25 feet
Spread: 20 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 2
Other Names: Common Chokecherry
Description:
Can be grown as a single or multi stemmed small tree or large shrub. Lovely hanging clusters of white blooms in spring are followed by dark fruit which make great jams
Ornamental Features
Canada Red Chokecherry features showy chains of fragrant white flowers hanging below the branches in mid spring. It has attractive deep purple deciduous foliage which emerges green in spring. The oval leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding red in the fall. The fruits are showy red drupes with purple overtones, which are carried in abundance in mid summer.
This plant is primarily grown as an ornamental, but it's also valued for its edible qualities. The small round tart fruit is most often used in the following ways:
- Baking
- Preserves
- Wine-Making
- Sauces
Landscape Attributes
Canada Red Chokecherry is a deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
This is a high maintenance tree that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds and bees to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Canada Red Chokecherry is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Accent
- Shade
- Orchard/Edible Landscaping
Planting & Growing
Canada Red Chokecherry will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn't require a second plant nearby to set fruit.
This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.
