Plant DetailShow Menu

Afghan Cherry Prunus jacquemontii

Phonetic Spelling
PROO-nus jak-MON-tee-eye
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Afghan Cherry is a dwarf shrub in the rose family native to Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Tibet.  Plant in the full sun and it tolerates a wide range of soil types.  In the spring showy fragrant shell pink flowers with red centers appear which are followed by tart red cherries.  Prune it in late winter when there is no threat of frost.  Mass plant it and use it as a hedge or screen.  It tolerates urban conditions well.

Insects, Diseses, and Other Plant Problems:  Dropped fruits can be messy.  It does not tolerate standing water.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#fragrant flowers#pink flowers#deciduous shrub#spring flowers#dwarf#mass planting#red fruits#screening#pollinator plant#flowers early spring#larval host plant#food source summer#messy fruits#urban conditions tolerant#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#fruits mid-summer#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly#self-fertile#hedge#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#fragrant flowers#pink flowers#deciduous shrub#spring flowers#dwarf#mass planting#red fruits#screening#pollinator plant#flowers early spring#larval host plant#food source summer#messy fruits#urban conditions tolerant#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#fruits mid-summer#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly#self-fertile#hedge#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Prunus
    Species:
    jacquemontii
    Family:
    Roseaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Afghanistant, India, Pakistan and Tibet.
    Wildlife Value:
    This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north. Fruits attract birds.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Spreading
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Description:
    Plum purple drupes in mid-summer
  • Flowers:
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Shell pink 5 petaled flowers with red centers appear in early spring before leaves. It is self-pollinating so does not need another cherry tree to produce fruit.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Outstanding yellow fall color.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Urban Conditions
    Problems:
    Messy
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Cyanogenic glycosides
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Seeds
    Stems