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Birch Bark Cherry Prunus serrula

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Prunus odontocalyx
Phonetic Spelling
PROO-nus ser-oo-LAH
Description

Tibetian Cherry has shiny smooth red-brown bark and is native to China. Perennial in zones 5-6. Will grow in the mountainous areas of NC.

Best grown in fertile well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. The bark is the most ornamental feature for the winter garden.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#smooth bark#shiny#pollinator plant#larval host plant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#smooth bark#shiny#pollinator plant#larval host plant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly#wildlife friendly
  • 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