Prunus Virginiana – Canada Red Select Chokecherry

Other Names: Common Chokecherry

Description:

A vigorous and hardier form of Canada Red chokecherry; foliage is a darker reddish purple with a thicker leaf texture; also known for its straight trunk and more uniform top; must have good drainage and aeration

Ornamental Attributes:

Canada Red Select Chokecherry features showy chains of fragrant white flowers hanging below the branches in mid spring. It has attractive deep purple foliage which emerges green in spring. The oval leaves are ornamentally significant and turn an outstanding red in the fall. The black fruits are held in abundance in spectacular clusters in mid summer, which are excellent for making jams and jellies and wine-making. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn’t require a second plant nearby to set fruit. The smooth gray bark is not particularly outstanding.

Landscape Attributes:

Canada Red Select Chokecherry is a deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a high maintenance tree that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Suckering
• Disease

Canada Red Select Chokecherry is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Edible Landscaping

Plant Characteristics:

Canada Red Select Chokecherry will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments.

This is a selection of a native North American species.