Prunus porcorum
Prunus porcorum · Rosaceae
⚠️ Feuilles, tiges et noyaux ou graines mâchés contiennent des glycosides cyanogènes ; le risque dépend de la partie et de la quantité ingérées. Pour les espèces fruitières, la chair mûre dénoyautée est généralement sans danger.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around prunus porcorum and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Ornamental Cherry (Wild Flowering Plum)
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Form
- Deciduous shrub
- Flowering
- April to May, white or pale pink flowers
- Adult size
- 3 to 5 m in height
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Water requirement
- Moderate
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability low.
Expert tips
The key tip
Prunus porcorum thrives in cool, well-structured soil; plant in spring and mulch generously for the first two years. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape.
The common mistake
Neglecting mulch in the first year: without root protection, the plant stresses in heat and recovery is slow.
The pro's trick
If planting in a warm climate, give it partial shade even in full sun zones (FULL_SUN).
Care
Light exposure
Install your Prunus porcorum in full sun to encourage generous flowering and a well-balanced form. A minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight daily is recommended. This shrub also tolerates partial shade situations, but flowering will be less abundant.
Regular watering
Water regularly during the first year to establish roots well, then adjust according to climate conditions. During dry periods, keep the soil moist without waterlogging. In winter, reduce watering; the shrub tolerates natural fluctuations well.
Soil preparation
Prefer well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Overly compacted soils slow growth and flowering vigor. Adding compost at planting time improves rooting and soil structure.
Formative pruning
Prune after flowering (late May) to maintain balanced form and open up the shrub's center. Remove dead or poorly oriented branches. Avoid severe pruning that could weaken the following year's flowering.
Nutritional support
Balanced fertilizer applied in spring supports growth. In poor soil, annual mulching with well-decomposed compost is usually sufficient. Limit excess nitrogen, which would favor foliage at the expense of flowers.
Health monitoring
This shrub is generally hardy and rarely affected by pests. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases. If an infestation occurs, remove affected branches and open up the canopy.
Did you know?
Prunus porcorum owes its specific name to its small fruits once appreciated by free-roaming pigs in traditional orchards. This shrub represents an important link in rural biodiversity, with its spring flowers attracting the season's first pollinators, while its autumn fruits feed birds and small mammals.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.