Nanking cherry
Prunus tomentosa · Rosaceae
📷 Ruslan V.Albitsky aka pauk · CC BY-SA 2.5
⚠️ 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 nanking cherry and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Blooming
- Spring (March to May)
- Adult size
- Approximately 2 m in height and width
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
- Hardiness
- Good (-15 to -20 °C)
- Origin
- China and central Asian regions
- Soil type
- Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Prunus tomentosa fruits abundantly if pruned short: maintain a structure of 5-7 main branches and clear out the chaotic center in February-March.
The common mistake
Letting it become a tangled mess creates internal shade that severely reduces fruiting.
The pro's trick
Pick the fruits when they're red and soft: they gain noticeably in sugar.
Care
Exposure
Install your downy cherry in full sun to ensure good fruiting and generous blooming. A minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day is recommended. Partially shaded locations can affect fruit production.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year to promote root establishment. Once established, this shrub tolerates moderate drought well, but weekly watering improves fruit production. Avoid waterlogged conditions that could cause root rot.
Soil Preparation
Prepare rich, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. Incorporate compost or potting soil when planting to improve structure. Effective drainage is essential, especially in winter and rainy periods.
Pruning and Training
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a balanced, bushy shape. Remove dead or poorly positioned branches. Light pruning every 2 to 3 years is sufficient to keep a compact and airy form.
Fertilizing and Nutrition
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring to support growth and blooming. An application of well-decomposed compost in fall naturally enriches the soil. Limit high-nitrogen fertilizers that would promote foliage at the expense of fruit.
Diseases and Pests
The downy cherry is generally robust. Watch for aphids or scale insects at the start of the season. Good air circulation and regular hygiene (removal of diseased branches) effectively prevent fungal problems.
Did you know?
The downy cherry, native to China's mountains, has been cultivated for centuries in Asia for its small translucent red fruits with a sweet, slightly tart flavor. In the West, it remains relatively unknown despite its extraordinary cold hardiness and generous production, making it a valuable fruit tree for temperate gardens.
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.