Prunus tomentosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- PROO-nis toh-men-TOH-suh
- Description
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Downy Cherry is a deciduous shrub in the rose family. Plant in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Established plants will tolerate drought and winter conditions. Propagate this shrub stem cuttings or seed. Use it as a shrub border, mass plant it or create a privacy screen or windbreak. Be aware it does naturalize in the landscape.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Borers can be an issue and brown-rot fungus for stressed trees. They generally perform poorly in the south due to lack of heat and humidity tolerance.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Prunus
- Species:
- tomentosa
- Family:
- Roseaecae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tibet, 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. Birds enjoy the fruits.
- Edibility:
- Fruits are edible and range from tart to sweet. Use them in jams, jellies, pies and tarts.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- White to light pink 5-petaled flowers 3/4" across solitary or in pairs appear in the spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Erosion
- Wind
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
