Prunus tomentosa – Nanking Cherry

General Information: Nanking cherry is a member of the large Rose family, which also includes Cherries, Peaches, Apples, and Plums. A true Cherry bush with bright red fruits, but some cultivars can be pink, or white! A profusion of unmistakable fragrant white flowers in spring coat the somewhat shiny reddish-brown bark. An edimental shrub with year-round interest, delicious fruits are as attractive as they are tasty. These plants are among the best for jazzing up barren, dry sites.

Cultivation Details: Requires two plants for cross-pollination. Consider one red-fruiting variety and one white-fruiting! Ideal for mass plantings and borders. Provides windbreak and wildlife habitat. Suitable for Bonsai training. Vigorous and adaptable, Nanking Cherry does exceptionally well in regions with barren sandy soils, cold winters, and hot summers. The plant is not suitable for humid, wet environments, as these conditions encourage brown rot, which results in failure of fruit set and premature leaf loss.

Edible Qualities: The flavor of the fresh fruit is somewhat tart in the red varieties. White varieties are sweeter and often preferred for eating fresh. In our plantings, we have noted that birds tend to leave the fruits alone, however this may be due to the diversity of food resources available on our farm for them at the time they are in production. Their small size when mature makes them easy to net to protect against birds. Fruits stay fresh on the bush 2-3 weeks after ripening. A versatile food, consider Nanking Cherry for use in any of the following preparations:

• Baked into pies, tarts, and jams
• Dried or made into fruit leather
• Juicing
• Fresh eating
• Adding to fruit medleys
• Making into Wines and cordials
• Fermented into vinegars
• Unripe fruits can be pickled
• Early nectar source for Honeybees

Growing Requirements: Plant in full sun for ideal fruit production. Flowers emerge in April. Fruits ripen Jun-Jul. Adaptable to various soil conditions and pH levels, but prefers well-drained soils. A superb choice for infertile, sandy sites. Grows 13-24″ per year.