Nanking cherry (Prunus tomentosa )
Nanking cherry (Prunus tomentosa)
A useful member of the prunus family, the nanking cherry is a small spreading shrub not a tree.
Slowly reaching about 1 m in height and spread the nanking cherry
is very hardy, coming as it does from the Russian Far East where it is a common garden plant, not self-fertile though so you will need two for fruit.
The blossom appears early in the spring, is white, reasonably frost tolerant and often born in profusion. It will grow anywhere but does best in full sun and a well-drained soil, being used to dry conditions.
The small cherries are born on the stems so can be tricky to find, not that the birds will have any trouble... They are ready in early summer, usually red with a very pleasant flavour.
