Birch Bark Cherry Prunus serrula

• Attributes:

  Genus:

  Prunus

  Species:

  serrula

  Family:

  Rosaceae

  Country Or Region Of Origin:

  China

  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.

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Tree

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Habit/Form:

  Pyramidal

  Rounded

  Growth Rate:

  Medium

  Texture:

  Medium

• Cultural Conditions:

  Light:

  Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

  Soil Drainage:

  Good Drainage

  NC Region:

  Mountains

  USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:

  5a, 5b, 6a, 6b

• Fruit:

  Fruit Color:

  Red/Burgundy

  Fruit Value To Gardener:

  Edible

  Display/Harvest Time:

  Spring

  Fruit Type:

  Drupe

  Fruit Length:

  < 1 inch

  Fruit Description:

  0.5 in. red fruit

• Flowers:

  Flower Color:

  White

  Flower Inflorescence:

  Umbel

  Flower Bloom Time:

  Spring

  Flower Size:

  < 1 inch

  Flower Description:

  0.6 in. white flowers singly or in 2-4 flower umbrels in late spring

• Leaves:

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Leaf Type:

  Simple

  Leaf Arrangement:

  Alternate

  Leaf Margin:

  Serrate

  Hairs Present:

  No

  Leaf Length:

  3-6 inches

  Leaf Description:

  2 to 4 in. alternate, simple leaves with serrated margins

• Bark:

  Bark Color:

  Dark Brown

  Red/Burgundy

  Surface/Attachment:

  Smooth

  Bark Description:

  Glistening, red brown to mahogany like bark with horizontal lenticles.

• Stem:

  Stem Is Aromatic:

  No

• Landscape:

  Landscape Location:

  Lawn

  Landscape Theme:

  Butterfly Garden

  Pollinator Garden

  Winter Garden

  Design Feature:

  Flowering Tree

  Attracts:

  Butterflies

  Pollinators

  Problems:

  Problem for Cats

  Problem for Dogs

  Problem for Horses