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Tart Cherry Prunus cerasus

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Prunus pendula
Phonetic Spelling
PROO-nus KER-uh-sus
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

This sour cherry tree is one of the first fruit trees to be used by humans. It is in the rose family and is native to SW Asia and Europe. The Latin genus name Prunus derives from the Greek proumnon, meaning “wild plum.”

This small tree will grow to 30 feet, with a broadly rounded crown. The 5 petaled white flowers grow in clusters and appear in late spring. Red drupes appear in summer and are often used to make tart cherry pies.

This tree will reseed and has spread beyond the garden areas. Suckers need to be removed to prevent thickets. Plant in full sun in fertile well-drained soils. It is much more cold hardy than sweet cherry trees and is self-pollinating.

Double flowering cultivars are used ornamentally and not for fruit production.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to many diseases and insects. Birds will eat the mature fruits so netting is needed to protect them

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Dumosa'
    Dwarf variety
  • 'Montmorency'
    Dwarf variety
  • 'Persiciflora'
    Double pink flowers
  • 'Rhexii'
    Double white flowers
  • 'Semiplena'
    Semi-double flowers. Occasionally fruits
  • var. austera L
    Dark fruits and pendulous habit
'Dumosa', 'Montmorency', 'Persiciflora', 'Rhexii', 'Semiplena', var. austera L
Tags:
#white flowers#spring flowers#high maintenance#pollinator plant#larval host plant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Dumosa'
    Dwarf variety
  • 'Montmorency'
    Dwarf variety
  • 'Persiciflora'
    Double pink flowers
  • 'Rhexii'
    Double white flowers
  • 'Semiplena'
    Semi-double flowers. Occasionally fruits
  • var. austera L
    Dark fruits and pendulous habit
'Dumosa', 'Montmorency', 'Persiciflora', 'Rhexii', 'Semiplena', var. austera L
Tags:
#white flowers#spring flowers#high maintenance#pollinator plant#larval host plant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Prunus
    Species:
    cerasus
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe to SW Asia
    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.
    Edibility:
    Fruit is used both fresh and dried
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Round red drupes with a center seed are sour to taste
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    White 5-petaled flowers in groups of 3-5 in late spring
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Ovate to elliptic smooth green leaves with serrated margins are 2-5 inches long and sometimes have 2 glands at the base.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Peeling
    Bark Description:
    Gray-brown bark may peal and has prominent horizontal lenticels
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Bud Terminal:
    Cluster of terminal buds
    Stem Description:
    Gray-brown twigs with reddish buds and multiple terminal buds.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems
    Frequent Insect Problems
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    The pits contain cyanide compounds, which are poisonous. If a couple of pits are accidentally swallowed, it will not cause poisoning. The pits are more poisonous if they are ground up/crushed or the seeds are chewed. Fruit that has not been pitted should not be blended into a smoothie. Symptoms include Gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma, respiratory failure.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    cyanide
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Seeds
    Stems