Nanking Cherry

Attributes:
The Nanking cherry is a lovely sight in early spring. The pink buds unfold into fragrant pale pink or white flowers. The profuse blossoms appear before the soft green leaves. The edible brilliant red fruits will ripen in early to late summer. The shiny, exfoliating, reddish brown bark is a distinctive attraction in winter. This is a vigorous adaptable shrub particularly suited to the cold winters and hot summers of the central and northern plains of the United States and Canada. The Nanking cherry can be used for shrub borders, hedge, windbreak filler, wildlife habitat, as a specimen or in masses.

Wildlife Value:
The shrub provides habitat and the fruit attract birds and other wildlife.

History/Lore/Use:
The Nanking cherry is native to central Asia. It was introduced to the North America in 1882. Other common names are Manchu cherry, downy cherry, mountain cherry, Mongolian cherry and Chinese bush cherry, hedge cherry. The word tomentosa indicates the hairy nature of the underside of the leaf of this tree. The tart, tangy fruit can be eaten fresh or used in pies, jams, and jellies. This shrub is dwarfing stock for cherries. Its branches can be cut in mid-winter and forced to bloom indoors in early spring.

Moisture:
The Nanking cherry prefers well drained soil, but will tolerate drought and grows under semi-arid conditions.

Leaves:
The leaves are alternate, simple, obovate to elliptic with unequally toothed margins and dull dark green summer color, no fall color.

Flower Color:
Pinkish buds change to pale pink to white, 3/4" fragrant flowers.

Bloom Time:
Early spring..

Fruit Description:
The edible fruits are scarlet, 1/3" across, nearly round ripening in June to August.