Saturday, January 23, 2016

Prunus - Cherries & Plums ( Part 2 )

Continued from Prunus - Cherries & Plums ( Part 1 )

Prunus napaulensis ( Nepal Cherry )
A medium-sized, deciduous tree native to mountains of Nepal that is related to Prunus cornuta. Some records include: 5 years - 9 feet; largest on record - trunk diameter of 3.2 feet.
The finely-toothed, narrowly-elliptical leaves are up to 7 x 2 inches in size.
The white flowers are borne on upright spikes.
Hardy zones 7 to 9, preferring a cool maritime climate.

Prunus nigra ( Canada Plum )
A fast growing, small, upright, deciduous tree reaching up to 25 feet that is native to cooler parts of North America ( from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Terrace Bay, Ontario to Manitoulin Island to Haileybury, Ontario to southern Quebec to New Brunswick, south to Iowa to northern Illinois, northern Indiana and northern Ohio to New York State ). Some records include: largest on record - 62 x 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 1.7 feet. The maximum lifespan of the Canada Plum is about 250 years, though 65 years is generally considered old. It is usually found in fencerows and woodland edge in the wild.
The coarsely-toothed leaves are up to 5 x 3 inches in size. The foliage is deep green above and paler, hairy below; turning to red during autumn.
The fragrant flowers, up to 1.3 inches in width can be either white or pink ( more often pink )/ They are borne in umbels of 3 or 4 during early spring either before or with the emerging foliage.
They are followed by rounded, yellow fleshed, orange-red or less often yellow fruit up to 1.5 inches in width. The fruits are excellent eaten fresh or dried.
The bark is gray-brown and peels off in layers.
Hardy zones 2 to 6 and prefers moist soil. Very tolerant of harsh climates including the Canadian Prairies. Flood tolerant but hates compaction and is prone to canker disease.

* canada plum in Sparta, ON

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* photo of unknown internet source

* historical archive photos

'Princess Kay'
A neat, upright tree form with double white flowers originating in northern Minnesota. Some records include: 5 years - 11 x 6 feet.
The bark is dark.

Prunus x nigrella 'Muckle" ( Muckle Plum )
A fast growing, upright, large shrub or small tree, reaching 12 feet or more, that is the hybrid between Prunus nigra and P. tenella. The largest on record is 17 x 10 feet. It appears as a giant oversized Prunus tenella.
The blue-green foliage turns an attractive orange-red during autumn.
The bright pink, single flowers appear during early spring.
Hardy zones 2b to 7.

Prunus nipponica ( Japanese Alpine Cherry )
A small, deciduous tree, reaching up to 20 feet or rarely more, that is native to the mountains of northern & central Japan. Some records include: largest on record - 35 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 2.2 feet @ Willowwood Arboretum in New Jersey.
The coarsely-toothed, obovate leaves are up to 8 x 2 ( rarely over 4.5 ) inches in size. The foliage is mid to deep green; often turning intense scarlet-red during autumn.
The pink flowers up to an inch wide are borne in small clusters in mid-spring. They are followed by very small, black "cherries".
The bark is dark purplish-brown.
Hardy zones 5 to 9.

Prunus occidentalis
A tropical, evergreen member of the Cherry family that is native to the Caribbean. It can become a massive tree reaching over 100 feet. Some records include: 3 years - 8 feet; 10 years - 3 feet; 40 years - 90 feet; largest on record - 170 feet with a trunk diameter of 6.3 feet.
The foliage is green and up to 8 inches in length.
Hardy zones 10 and warmer.

Prunus 'Okame'
A fast growing tree reaching up to 30 feet that is the hybrid between Prunus campanulatus and Prunus incisa. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 3 feet; 12 years - 25 x 20 feet; largest on record - 40 x 30 feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot.
The leaves up to 3 x 1.6 inches in size, are deep green in summer turning to vivid orange during autumn.
It is the earliest and longest ( 3 weeks ) of all Cherries. The single bright pink flowers are up to an inch across and are borne in clusters of 3, opening from pinkish-red buds before the foliage.
The bark is rich, red brown in color.
Hardy zones 5b to 9; it is heat and very clay tolerant.
'First Lady' originating at the U.S. National Arboretum is a cross of P. 'Okame' back with P. campanulata.
It reaches about equal size, has similar growth rate, flowers, form and equal hardiness.
Its larger, glossy deep green foliage more resembles that of P. campanulata.
The flowers are followed by red cherries up to 0.5 inches across. They provide great food for the birds.
Hardy zones 6 to 9.

* photo taken on March 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum

* photos taken on Mar 5 2012 in Columbia, MD










* photo taken on Apr 15 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 26 2015 in Bel Air, MD

* photo taken on Mar 21 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 31 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 20 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 26 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Wash, D.C.

* photo taken on Mar 16 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 3 2023 in Columbia, MD


Prunus padus ( European Bird Cherry )
A pyramidal to rounded, medium-sized tree to 50 feet with drooping branch tips, that is a widespread native to northern Eurasia from England to Japan. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 5 feet; 5 years - 16 x 13 feet; 20 years - 37 x 20 feet; largest on record - 112 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 32 inches ( 6 foot stump has been recorded ). This tree can live up to 80 years or more.
It is one of the first trees to leaf out in spring and the taper-pointed, finely-toothed, oval leaves are up to 6 x 3 inches in size.
They are deep matte green in summer and turn to yellow or red in autumn.
The numerous, small, fragrant, white flowers are borne in long racemes, up to 6 inches long, with the foliage during late spring.
They are followed by tiny ( 0.3 inch ), bitter tasting, glossy black "cherries".
The smooth bark is dark gray with darker lenticals.
Hardy zones 1 to 6 and is urban tolerant. It can even be used as a street tree in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau, Alaska.

* photo taken on April 11 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum

* photos taken on Apr 20 2013 in Columbia, MD
* historic archive photo


* excellent photon link found on internet
http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id39521/

'Colorata'
Foliage is red-purple in spring turning to deep green above, reddish below.
The flowers are deep pink instead of white.

* photos taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europe's premier plant nursery


'Commutata'
Flower racemes up to 6 inches in length appear 15 days earlier than average for Prunus padus. Originates in Manchuria.

'Ethel'
Vigorous and extremely hardy, even thriving in much of Alberta, Canada.
Some records include: 5 years - 17 x 14 feet; 6 years - 19 x 14 feet.

'Plena'
Double flowers; otherwise identical to species.

* photos taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA


'Merlot'
Vigorous and upright in habit, becoming more rounded with age. It reaches an average of 30 x 18 feet in 20 years.
The foliage is green at first, turning to deep purple.
The white flowers are only sparely followed by fruit.
Hardy zones 2-

'Watereri'
A vigorous growing tree, with long, slender, compact, creamy-white, flower racemes up to 8 inches in length.
The stems are purple.

Prunus pedunculata ( Prairie Almond )
Also called Amygdalus pedunculata. A spreading small to medium-sized, deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum height of 6.5 x 7 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native to Russia, most of Mongolia and north-central China.
The coarsely-toothed, obovate or oblong leaves are up to 1.6 x 0.8 inches in size. The foliage is glossy deep green above, pale green beneath.
The pink flowers, up to 0.6 inches wide, appear during late spring, just before the foliage emerges.
The are followed by deep purplish-red cherries, up to 0.6 inches wide, during mid to late summer.
The branches are grayish-brown to brown.
Hardy zones 2 to 6 in full sun on very well drained soil. It is very drought tolerant and has high potential as a landscape shrub or low hedge in the northern Great Plains and intermountain west.

Prunus pennsylvanica ( Pin Cherry )
A small, colonizer tree reaching up to a typical 25 feet, often forming thickets on recently cleared land. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 6 feet; largest on record - 110 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 3 feet; oldest tree of record - 75 years. The Pin Cherry is a native of northern North America ( from Whitehorse, Yukon to southwestern Northwest Territories to far northern Ontario to Labrador and Newfoundland, south to Montana, Colorado, Iowa to Pennsylvania, locally further south in Illinois, Indiana and the Appalachian Mountains ). Its natural range covers most of the Canadian Shield except for the Hudson Bay Lowlands. In the Windsor/Essex County, Ontario region; it was abundant in southern Essex County as well as at Detroit, Michigan during the 1800s.
The long pointed, narrow, lance shaped leaves, up to 6 x 2 inches in size, emerge early in spring. The shiny green foliage turns to golden yellow and scarlet red or less often purple during autumn.
The small, 0.5 inch wide flowers are borne in umbels of up to 5 in late spring after the foliage appears.
The acid tasting, scarlet red cherries, are up to 0.3 inches wide, ripen during mid-summer. Birds heavily consume the fruit.
The branches have many spur branches and the twigs are bright red and shiny.
Young trees have smooth, reddish-brown bark which becomes horizontally broad plated and papery on older trees.
Hardy zones 2 to 5 ( possibly 1 in Yukon Territories ) though not often cultivated except in extreme climates of the far north including Alaska.

* photo taken on Aug 3 2011 in Luzerne Co, PA

* historical archive photos

* photos taken on July 27 2015 in Bayfield, ON

* photo taken by Jean Pawek @ CalPhotos


Prunus persica ( Peach )
Originally native to China; its actual place of origin is enshrouded in mystery after centuries of cultivation. Typically a small tree to 20 feet; some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 4 feet; 4 years - 11 x 6 feet; largest on record - 60 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 2.5 feet.
The finely-toothed, lance-shaped leaves are up to 9 x 2 ( rarely over 6 ) inches in size. They are purplish at first during spring, turning to glossy deep green in summer then to bronze during autumn.
The large, showy pink or white familiar early spring flowers appear before the foliage.
They are followed by the yellow to red down covered tasty, large, edible round fruits up to 3 inches long.
The twigs are reddish with white, fuzzy buds.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 ( use hardiest seed source/cultivars only in zone 5 ) in full sun on acidic or alkaline, humus-rich, well drained soil. Kept the ground beneath the tree either bare or better yet mulched in organic matter, turf grass on top of tree roots will slow your Peach trees growth and production considerably. When buying a Peach tree, it is best to buy approx 4 foot tall 1 year bare root trees and plant during early spring while still dormant. It is important to but from a reputable nursery that can guarantee the tree and the rootstock ( Lovell & Siberian C are common ) is true to type and is free of nematodes or viruses. Selecting the right variety can make all the difference between success, failure or a tree that needs more chemicals than it is worth. Peaches thrive over a very large range of climates however different cultivars fare better in some than others. Peaches are self-fertile, not needing multiple trees to produce fruit. Peaches may be prone to peach leaf curl in some regions. Canker is a problem in humid areas, it is recommended to not use canker prone root stock where this is a problem and immediately prune dead wood out of trees where it may occur. White plastic trunk wraps can be used to protect the trunk of peach trees from sunscald. A deep weekly watering is recommended if drought occurs during the time between flowering and the fruit ripening. Propagation of cultivars is from softwood cuttings taken during summer.

* photos taken on Mar 27 2016 in Howard Co., MD
* historical archive photos

* photos taken on Mar 31 2016 in Catonsville, MD

* photo taken on June 28 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 9 2023 in Columbia, MD


Ornamental Flowering Forms

'Albo Plena' White double flowers, up to 2" wide.

'Bonfire'
A dwarf, shrubby form, reaching up to 7 x 6 feet. Some records include: 3 years - 4.3 feet; 5 years - 5.5 feet.
The attractive foliage is deep red all summer long.
The double, pinkish-red flowers are borne during early spring before the foliage emerges.
They are followed by tasty small peaches.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

* photo taken on Aug 31 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europe's premier plant nursery


'Corinthian Pink'
Reaching up to 18 x 7 feet and columnar in habit, with foliage that is purple at first, turning to purplish-green.
The flowers vary from white to pink.

'Klare Meyer'
Shrubby in form with double deep pink flowers.

'Pink Cascade'

* photo taken on Mar 22 2012 in Columbia, MD


'Prince Charming'
Similar to species in habit except with double, deep rose-pink flowers.

'Redhaven'
A self-pollinating, regular-sized Peach bearing sweet-tasting, yellow to red skinned fruit. The fragrant flowers are rosy-red in bud, opening to pink.
The leaves turn to yellow during autumn.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

* photos taken on Aug 31 2015 in Elkridge, MD


'Reliance'
Self-fertile, it abundantly bears tasty, yellow, mid-size peaches.
Hardy north to zone 5, it is among the best cultivars for cold climates.

'Rubra'

* photo taken on April 11 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum


'Royal Red'
Brilliant scarlet red leaves turn red-green in summer.

* photo taken on May 16 2012 in Columbia, MD


'Russels Red'
Double red flowers

'Versicolor
Double white flowers

FRUITING FORMS

'Brighton'
Vigorous and canker resistant.

'Candor'
A hardy variety with good tasting fruits.
It is resistant to leaf curl and highly resistant to bacterial spot and flesh browning.

'Compact Redhaven'
A zone 6 variety with good tasting fruits.
It is resistant to leaf curl and highly resistant to bacterial spot and flesh browning.

'Charlotte'
Very resistant to leaf curl and bacterial canker.
Orange-red, sweet juicy fruit.

'Clayton'
A zone 5 hardy cultivar with good tasting fruits.
It is highly resistant to leaf curl, bacterial spot and flesh browning.

'Halford'
Commonly used as root stock on which other Peaches are grown. It thrives only in mild climates ( zone 8 and warmer ).
It is also longer lived than most rootstocks however can be prone to Peach Tree Borer, Crown Rot and Nematodes.

'Hardired'
A "Nectarine" ( smooth skinned ) with medium sized red fruit. Exceptionally hardy, thriving from zones 5 to 8 and tolerating as low as -30 F. Brown rot and leaf spot resistant which is important since many other cultivars of Nectarines perform badly in humid climates due to brown rot susceptibility.

'Lovell'
Commonly used as root stock on which other Peaches are grown. It thrives in a large range of climates and is more cold hardy than most Peach cultivars.
It is also longer lived than most rootstocks however can be prone to Peach Tree Borer, Crown Rot and Nematodes.

'New Haven'
A zone 6 cultivar with good tasting fruits.
it is resistant to leaf curl, bacterial spot and flesh browning.

'Raritan Rose'
Excellent form, is vigorous, bud hardy and canker and leaf spot resistant.
Large bright red fruit.

'Reliance'
Fast growing and exceptionally hardy, north to zone 4b ( tolerating -25 F ).
The fruit is yellow with some red.

'Rich Haven'
A large, vigorous tree with up to 50 pounds of gold-red fruit per year. Can tolerate -20 F with no damage.

'Siberian C'
Commonly used as root stock on which other Peaches are grown. It is used only where winters are consistently cold such as in the Great Lakes and New England.
It is also longer lived than most rootstocks however can be prone to Peach Tree Borer, Crown Rot and Nematodes.
It is very prone to bacterial canker and should be avoided where this is a problem.

'Veteran'
Cold hardy, to zone 5 with large yellow fruit. Unlike many Peaches; this one is good in cool wet climates such as Seattle, WA.

Prunus pumila ( Sand Cherry )
A small, hardy, groundcover shrub usually only reaching up to 4 feet in height, that is native to North America ( from Falcon Lake, Manitoba to Sioux Lookout, Ontario to Ranoke, Ontario to Matagami, Quebec to New Brunswick; south to Wyoming to central Kansas to Iowa to northern Illinois to northern Ohio to New Jersey ). It is common on Great Duck and Cockburn Islands on Lake Huron. In the Windsor/Essex County, Ontario region; it was abundant on the beaches around Point Pelee as well as on the Ohio shore during the 1800s. It was rare on the Ohio shore even during presettlement times however a sizable population was known to occur at Oxford Prairie. Some records include: largest on record - 10 x 15 feet.
The narrowly elliptical or oblong leaves, up to 4 x 1 ( rarely over 2 ) inches in size, are toothed near the tip.
They are gray-green above, bluish below; turning to fiery scarlet-red during autumn.
The white flowers are borne in clusters of 2 to 4 during late spring.
They are followed by edible, small, deep red to purplish-black "cherries", up to 0.6 inches wide, during late summer.
Hardy zones 2 to 6 and both drought and lime tolerant.

* photos taken on July 18 2016 in Grand Bend, ON

* photos taken on July 13 2018 in Grand Bend, ON


'Catskill'
A cultivar of subspecies depressa, it forms a groundcover shrub reaching up to 2 x 15 feet in size.
The disease resistant foliage is reddish at first, turning to glossy deep green.

* Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS.


subsp 'Depressa'
An attractive groundcover shrub reaching up to 3 x 6 + feet. It is native to rocky or sandy shoreline from Kenora, Ontario to Marathon, Ontario to Manitoulin Island to southern Quebec to New Brunswick; south to Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The narrow oblanceolate leaves, up to 3 x 1 inches in size, are mid-green above, bluish white below.

* photos taken on July 31 2013 @ Pinery Provincial Park, Grand Bend, Ontario


subsp. 'Susquehanae' ( Susquehanna Sandcherry )
Taller than average ( to 6.5 feet ) for Prunus pumila. The foliage is nearly white beneath and the fruit is smaller. Often found on sand dunes and sandy pine woods in the wild in eastern North America ( from Manitoba to Ingolf, Ontario to Quebec; south to Arkansas to Indiana to Ohio to West Virginia to Virginia ).
The obovate or broadly-elliptical leaves are up to 3 x 1.2 inches in size.
The fruits are up to 0.4 inches wide.

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database


Prunus rufa ( Himalayan Cherry )
A small, deciduous tree native to low lying areas of the Himalayas. The tallest on record is only 28 feet with a trunk diameter of 13 inches.
The leaves are up to 4 x 2 inches in size.
The small, white to pinkish-white flowers backed by red calyces are borne in spring.
They are followed by tiny, red "cherries"
The younger shoots are covered in a "rusty felt"
Hardy zones 7 to 10

Prunus salicifolia ( Mexican Bird Cherry )
A very fast growing, medium sized, deciduous tree, related to Prunus serotina, that is native to mountains from Mexico to Peru. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 15 feet; largest on record - 80 x 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 3 feet.
The serrate edged, leathery foliage is up to 7 inches in length.
The small, white flowers are borne in loose racemes and are followed by small, sweet, juicy, red "cherries" up to 0.7 inches in width.
Surprisingly hardy in climates far colder in winter than occurs in its native range. Hardy from zones 6 to 10 with reports of surviving -22 F in Massachussetts.
'Equadorian'
Sweet fruits up to 1.5 inches in width.

Prunus salicina ( Japanese Plum )
A small, fast growing tree to 30 feet that is native to Japan and closeby parts of eastern China. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 6 feet; largest on record - 40 x 40 feet.
The oval foliage is heavily though bluntly toothed and up to 5 inches in length.
It is lush deep green in summer and turns red in autumn.
The white flowers are borne in pairs or small clusters in early spring.
They are followed by red fruits up to 3 inches across that are edible though bitter.
The new shoots are red and the attractive bark is smooth and orangish to red-brown.
Hardy zones 4b to 9, one seed source in eastern Asia is reported to tolerate -30 F or possibly even colder into zone 3.

* photos taken on March 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC



* photo taken by Dr. Nick V. Kurzenko @ CalPhotos


'Methley'
A self pollinating tree reaching up to 25 x 25 feet with large, yellow fleshed, purple skinned fruit.

* photo taken on Oct 18 2023 in Elkridge, MD


'Purple Heart'
Small, dark purple sweet fruit to 1.5 inches. Hardy to as low as -25 F

'Red Heart'
Heavy crops of large red "Plums" that preserve well.

Prunus sargentii ( Sargent Cherry )
A fast growing, spreading dome-canopied, medium to large sized tree, reaching around 60 feet in height, that is native to Sakhalin & northern Japan. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 5 feet with trunk diameter increase of 1 inch; 20 years - 60 x 70 feet; largest on record - 90 x 70 feet with a trunk diameter of 4 feet. The Sargent Cherry is longer lived than most Cherries.
The The toothed, pointed, broadly-oval leaves are up to 6 x 3 inches in size. The smooth leaves are reddish in spring, turning to glossy deep green above, later turning vivid scarlet-red during autumn.
The pink, frilly flowers up to 2 inches are borne in clusters during mid spring with the emerging foliage.
They are followed by smallish, very dark red fruits, up to 0.5 inches wide, during mid-summer.
The smooth bark is glossy purplish-brown with lenticels.
Hardy zones 4 to 7 ( thrives at least as far north as the Ottawa Valley in Ontario ) and is tolerant of drought and clay, however does not like pollution. Does not grow well in the extreme heat of the southeastern U.S.
Foliage is very prone to Japanese Beetles ( recommended long term treatment is treating entire lawn area with Milky Spore ) but the Sargent Cherry is rarely bothered by disease.
Propagation is from seed during autumn.

* photo taken on August 3 2010 @ University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario


* photos taken on Mar 26 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Wash, D.C.

* photo taken on Nov 9 2021 in Columbia, MD


'Columnaris'
Narrow columnar form, reaching up to 35 x 15 feet in 20 years and eventually up to 53 x 26 feet.
The deep green foliate turns to orangish-red to purple during autumn.
The flowers are light pink.

* photo taken on Apr 23 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on Aug 5 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD


'Pink Flair'
Narrow, upright and vase-shaped, reaching up to 25 x 16 feet in 20 years, eventually more.
The foliage is deep green, turning to orangish-red during autumn.
The mid-pink, single flowers are borne during mid spring. It flowers 2 weeks after the species, thus avoiding frost damage.
Hardy zones 3 to 7, it is among the best Flowering Cherries for the northern Great Plains but also thrives in the hot humid Mid Atlantic and parts of the Southeast.

'Princeton Snow Cloud'
Rapid growing and columnar in habit, reaching a larger size quicker than regular Prunus sargentii. It can reach up to 55 x 18 feet in 25 years, eventually more.
The oval leaves are up to 6.5 x 3.2 inches in size and emerge bronze before turning to mid-green. The foliage turns intense scarlet-red during late autumn.
The very abundant, large, white flowers, appear during mid-spring.
Hardy zones 5a to 7

* photos taken on Mar 26 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Wash, D.C.

* photo taken on Aug 4 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC


'Rancho'
Larger, deeper pink flowers on a narrower shaped tree, averaging 30 x 15 feet in 20 years.
The glossy deep green foliage turns to orange and red during autumn.

'Spring Wonder'
A broad, vase-shaped tree, reaching up to 25 x 25 feet in 20 years, it originates from seed source in Hokkaido in northern Japan.
The foliage is purplish at first, turning to glossy deep green. The leaves then turn to orange-red during autumn.
The flowers are pink.
The bark is glossy reddish-brown.
Hardy zones 4a+

Prunus x schmittii
A vigorous, narrow, upright small tree reaching up to 40 feet or more, that is the hybrid between Prunus avium and P. canescens. Some records include: largest on record - 70 x 20 feet with a trunk diameter of 26 inches.
The leaves have a finely serrated margin and taper to a fine point. They are up to 5 x 2 inches in size. The foliage is deep green above and paler beneath.
The pale pink flowers are up to an inch in width.
Hardy zones 5 to 9

Prunus scopulorum
Also called Prunus pseudocerasus. A strongly upright tree reaching up to 30 feet in height that is native to mountain slopes from central to northeast China.
Some records include: largest on record - 40 x 12 feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot.
The ovate to elliptical leaves are up to 5 x 2.3 inches in size.
The very fragrant flowers that are white with a pink tinge are borne in clusters during late spring.
They are followed by small red fruits, up to 0.5 inches wide, during early summer.
The bark ranges from pale gray to reddish-brown.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 ( likely 5 for seed source from Liaoning ) in full sun on very well drained soil.

Prunus serotina ( Black Cherry )
A large, deciduous tree native to eastern North America ( from eastern North Dakota to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Manitoulin Island to Temagami, Ontario to southern Quebec to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia; south to eastern Texas to central Florida...subspecies native to most of Arizona to western Texas as well as in the Edwards Plateau of central Texas ) reaching up to 80 feet or more. In the Windsor/Essex County, Ontario region; it was abundant along the Canard River Valley, around Point Pelee, the Lake Erie islands as well as the Ohio shore during the 1800s. It occurred sporadically at Detroit during that time. Some records include: first year from seed - 24 inches; fastest recorded growth rate - 8 feet with trunk diameter increase of 3 inches; 3 years - 6 inch trunk diameter; 4 years - 18 x 12 feet; 20 years - 66 x 33 feet; largest on record - 170 x 130 feet with a trunk diameter of 8 feet. It is moderately long-lived but rarely exceeds 170 years, with 258 years being the oldest known.
The finely-toothed, elliptical leaves are up to 5 x 2 or rarely 6.6 x 5 inches in size. The foliage is reddish at first turning to glossy, mid-green above and light green beneath. The foliage turns yellow and orange red, late in autumn. As with other trees in the Prunus family, this tree should not be planted where livestock graze as the foliage can cause poisoning.
The small ( 0.3 inch ) white flowers are borne in pendulous racemes up to 6 inches in length in late spring after the foliage has already emerged.
The flowers are followed by purplish-black, rounded fruit up to 0.3 inches wide hat ripen in late summer. The fruits are highly valued by birds but due to their small size are generally ignored by people. The taste varied from tree to tree from sour to sweet.
The twigs zig-zag and are slender.
The bark is smooth and dark gray in young trees later becoming dark gray and scaly.
The hard, reddish, finely grained wood is very valuable in the making of furniture.
Black Cherry is among the most prized North American timbers after Black Walnut.
The wood burns well with aromatic smoke, releasing around 20 Btu per cord.
Hardy zones 3 to 9. This tree is unfortunately the primary host for the Tent Caterpillar.

* photo taken on May 1 2010 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on August 3 2010 @ University of Guelph Arboretum, Guelph, Ontario

* photo taken on August 4 2010 @ Woodlands Arboretum, Clinton, ON

* photo taken on May 16 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 3 2012 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on June 3 2012 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Oct 17 2013 in Olney, MD

* photos taken @ Middle Patuxent, Clarksville, MD on Apr 24 2015

* photos taken on May 9 2015 in Ellicott City, MD

Paul S. Carter @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* photo taken on June 1 2014 @ Maryland Horticulturalist Society garden tour, Ellicott City

* historical archive photos

* photos taken on July 15 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 27 2015 in Bayfield, ON

* photo taken on Oct 19 2015 in Howard Co., MD

* photos taken on May 25 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 12 2016 in Howard Co., MD

* photo taken on Dec 20 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 9 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 4 2017 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on May 14 2017 in Trucksville, PA

* historical archive photos

* photos taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

* photo taken on July 16 2016 in Bayfield, ON

* black cherry west of Port Stanley, ON

* black cherry in Muirkirk, ON

* black cherry in Lincoln, ON

* photos taken on Oct 21 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 26 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 6 2020 @ Patuxent Wildlife Refuge, Laurel, MD

* photos taken on Apr 19 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 19 2021 in Elora, ON

* photos taken on Nov 3 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 24 2022 @ Howard Community College, Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 29 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 27 2023 @ Howard Community College, Columbia, MD

* excellent photo link found on internet
http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id39524/

'Cartilaginia'
large foliage

'Pendula'
weeping habit

* historic archive photo

* photos taken on Nov 16 2023 in Columbia, MD


Prunus serrula ( Tibetan Cherry )
A deciduous, medium-size tree reaching up to 40 feet that is native to western China. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 4 feet; largest on record - 60 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 3 feet.
The finely-toothed, taper-pointed, oval leaves are up to 5 x 1.5 ( rarely over 3 ) inches in size. The deep green foliage, often turns attractive orange and red during autumn ( some trees do quite the opposite and barely put on any show of color during the fall ).
The white flowers, up to 0.7 inches wide, are borne in umbels of 1 to 4 during mid-spring with the emerging foliage.
They are followed by small, scarlet-red "cherries" up to 0.5 x 0.5 inches in size, during late summer.
It is typically grown for its bark which is among the most beautiful of all trees. The mahogany-red bark peels in horizontal strips to reveal even shinier, more intense colored bark beneath.
Hardy zones 5 to 8

Prunus serrulata ( Japanese Flowering Cherry )
Also called Prunus lannesiana & Prunus jamasakura. A fast growing, medium-size to large tree, reaching up to 50 + feet, that is native to northeastern China, Korea & Japan. Some records include: largest on record - 120 x 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 11 feet. Trees have been known to live as long as 500 years or more.
The toothed, pointed-oval leaves are up to 8 x 3.5 ( rarely over 6 ) inches in size. The foliage is glossy deep green above, pale green beneath; often turning to orange & red during autumn. The foliage is often bronze-red at first during spring.
The very showy, white to pink flowers, up to 1.3 inches wide, appear during mid-spring.
They are followed in by small, deep purple fruits, up to 0.3 inches wide. The fruits rarely appear on most cultivars.
The smooth bark is purplish-brown with lenticels in horizontal rows.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 ( possibly even 3 for seed source from Heilongjiang Province, China ) in full sun on most well drained soils. Alkaline tolerant. The cultivars often grow poorly south of zone 7 when grafted on root stock that isn't very heat tolerant. Propagation is from softwood cuttings taken in summer. The species can be sown from seed during autumn.

* photo taken on June 7 2012 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Oct 26 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 27 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 19 2023 in Columbia, MD


'Amanogawa'
Narrow and upright in habit, Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 4 feet; 5 years - 13 x 3 feet; 20 years - 33 x 10 feet; largest on record being 37 x 31 feet with a trunk diameter of 1.5 feet.
The finely-toothed, oval leaves are coppery bronze at first, turning to deep green in summer then to red or yellow during autumn.
The fragrant, large, pale pink, double flowers open before or with the emerging foliage in mid spring.
Hardy zones 4 to 7 and propagated by softwood cuttings in summer.

'Hokusai'
A vigorous, broad spreading tree. Some records include: 20 years - 27 feet; largest on record is 37 x 57 feet with a trunk diameter of 2 feet.
The oval,leathery foliage, to 5 x 2 inches, is bronze at first turning to deep green then to brilliant orange and red in autumn.
The semi-double flowers, up to 2 inches across, appear in mid spring and last over a long season. They are mid pink in bud and open to soft light pink.

'Kansan' ( Kwanzan Cherry )
A medium-size tree to 40 feet or more with a strongly upright, vase shape growth habit when young, later becoming spreading. Some records include: 20 years - 37 feet; 53 years - 47 x 74 feet with a trunk diameter of 3.8 feet; largest on record - 53 x 66 feet with a trunk diameter of 3 feet. Very large trees grow at Longwood Gardens near Philly, PA.
The leaves are large, to 6 x 3 inches.
The foliage turns vivid colors in autumn.
The large ( up to 2.3 inch wide ), bright pink double flowers are borne in clusters.

* photos taken on April 7 2010 in Columbia, MD


* photo taken on April 10 2010 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on April 13 2010 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken in Columbia, MD on April 23 2010

* photos taken on April 9 2012 in Columbia, MD



* photo taken on Apr 2011 in Harford Co., MD

* photos taken on June 24 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 28 2015 in Howard Co., MD

* photos taken on May 3 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 6 2015 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on May 3 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 22 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 20 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 21 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 21 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 29 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 15 2019 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on Apr 21 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 15 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 12 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 17 2023 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on Nov 18 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 22 2023 in Columbia, MD


'Kiku-Shidare' ( Cheal's Weeping Cherry )
Also called 'Kiku-Shidare-Zakura'. Weeping growth habit, reaching up to 23 x 23 feet in 20 years, with maturity being about 33 x 22 feet with a trunk diameter of 15 inches. Some records include: largest on record - 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 3.5 feet. Moderately long-lived, it can live for up to 215 years in age.
The flowers are rose-pink and double.
The lance shaped foliage is bronzed bright green in spring turning to deep green.
The very double, large flowers are deep pink and are clustered along the weeping branches in mid spring.
Hardy zone 6 to 8

'Okumiyako'
Flat crowned tree. The large, double white flowers are borne from pink buds.

'Pandora'
Vigorous, upright and broadly vase shaped in habit. Largest on record is 51 x 25 feet with a trunk diameter of 32 inches. It is the hybrid between Prunus x yedoensis & P. subhirtella 'Ascendens Rosea'.
The oval foliage is bronze-red at first turning to deep green in summer then to brilliant orange and red in autumn.
The abundant, large pale pink single flowers are borne in early spring.
The bark is dark brown and shiny.
Hardy zone 6 to 8

'Pink Perfection'
A medium-sized, vase-shaped tree with a rounded crown. Some records include: 20 years - 20 feet; largest on record - 30 x 25 feet with a trunk diameter of 2 feet.
The toothed, oval foliage is bronze at first, turning to deep green in summer then to brilliant orange-red in autumn.
The large, double flowers are deep pink in bud, opening to light rose-pink. They are carried on long stalked drooping clusters.
Hardy zone 6 to 8.

'Royal Burgundy'
Very similar to the Kwanzan Cherry but with purplish-black foliage. The foliage turns to orange and red during autumn.
Reaches up to 27 x 24 feet.

* photo of unknown internet source

* photos taken on Apr 17 2016 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photos taken on July 13 2021 @ Hershey Gardens, Hershey, PA

* photo taken on June 19 2023 @ Hershey Gardens, Hershey, PA


'Schmidsu Sakura'
A flat-crowned tree, reaching up to 20 x 33 feet, with foliage that turns to red in autumn.
The large, frilly, double, white flowers are borne during late spring.

'Shirofugen'
A vigorous, wide spreading, flat crowned tree with drooping branches. Some records include: largest on record - 60 x 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 33 inches.
The oval leaves are up to 5 inches in length. The foliage is bronze-red at first, turning to deep green in summer then to brilliant orange-red in autumn.
The large, double flowers, up to 2.3 inches in width are pink in bud opening white then fading to light pink in late spring. The blooms appear late and lasts longer than almost any other Cherry.
Hardy zone 5 to 7

'Shirotae' ( Mt. Fuji Cherry )
A moderate growing, somewhat arching, broadly-spreading tree
Largest on record - 37 x 65 feet with a trunk diameter of 33 inches; 34 years - 32 x 63 feet with a trunk diameter of 20 inches; 7 years - 27 x 26 feet with a diameter of 7.5 inches.
The oval leaves, up to 6 inches in length, are bright green in spring, turning to deep green in summer then to golden yellow or sometimes red in autumn.
The fragrant, single to semi-double, very large ( 2 inch ), white flowers are massed during mid-spring.
Hardy zones 6 to 8 and propagated by softwood cuttings in summer.

* photos taken on Apr 17 2016 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC


'Shogetsu'
A fast growing, flat crowned wide spreading tree.
Some records include: 20 years - 23 feet; largest on record - 27 x 33 feet with a trunk diameter of 26 inches.
The oval leaves, up to 5 inches in length, are bright green at first, turning to deep green then to brilliant orange and red in autumn.
The large, double flowers up to 2 inches across, are borne in drooping clusters in late spring. They are pink in bud opening to light pink.
Hardy zone 5 to 7

'Snowgoose'
Reaching up to 25 x 20 feet, it is upright at first, becoming spreading with age. Some records include: fastest growth rate- 3.5 feet; largest on record - 30 feet. It is a hybrids between Prunus serrulata var. speciosa and Prunus incisa.
The foliage is bright green at first, turning to mid-green.
The flowers are pure white, single.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

'Snow Fountains'
Weeping in habit, reaching a maximum size of 12 x 18 ( rarely over 10 x 12 ) feet.
The leaves are up to 3.5 x 1.6 inches in size. The deep green foliage turns to yellow and orange during autumn.
The flowers are white.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

* photos taken on Mar 29 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 1 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 20 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 29 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 30 2022 in Ellicott City, MD


'Tai Haku' ( Great White Cherry )
A very vigorous broad spreading tree, reaching up to 40 x 27 feet in 20 years. Some records include: largest on record - 40 x 47 feet with a trunk diameter of 28 inches.
The finely-toothed leaves are up to 8 x 4 or rarely 9.3 x 5 inches. The foliage is coppery-bronze at first turning to deep green then to golden-yellow and red during autumn.
The very large, fragrant, white, single flowers are up to 3.2 inches in width.
Hardy zone 4 to 8

* photos taken on March 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC




'Ukon'
A vigorous, horizontally spreading, vase shaped tree.
Reaches up to 33 feet in height. Some records include: 20 years - 23 feet; largest on record is 42 x 50 feet with trunk diameter of 28 inches.
The leaves, up to 6 x 2.7 inches in size, are bronze in spring, turning to deep green then to red or purple in autumn.
Flowers are semi-double, fragrant, up to 1.7 inches, greenish yellow and are massed in clusters.
Hardy zones 5 to 6 and propagated by softwood cuttings in summer.

'Umineko'
A narrow, erect tree reaching up to 20 x 10 feet in 20 years, and an eventual maximum size of 27 x 34 feet. The foliage turns attractive red in autumn. The flowers are white.

'Yae-murasaki'
A slow growing, broad spreading tree, reaching a maximum size of 15 x 25 feet.
The toothed, oval leaves are coppery red at first, turning to deep green.
The foliage turns intense orange-red during autumn.
The abundant, semi-double flowers borne during mid spring are red in bud, opening to pinkish-purple.
Hardy zones 6 to 8

Prunus sibirica ( Siberian Almond )
Also called Armeniaca sibirica. A spreading, large shrub to small tree, reaching a maximum height of 17 x 17 ( rarely over 9 ) feet, that is native to eastern Siberia, Mongolia, north-central China, Manchuria and Korea.
The minutely-toothed leaves, up to 4 x 3 inches in size, are ovate to nearly rounded. The foliage is blue-green.
The white to pinkish-white flowers, up to 1.5 inches wide, appear during early spring before the foliage emerges.
They are followed by a yellow to dark orange fruit, up to 1 x 1 inch in size, during mid-summer.
Hardy zones 2 to 6 ( tolerates -50 F or even colder ) in full sun on well drained soil. It is very drought tolerant. It is very drought tolerant and has high potential as a fruit plant, landscape shrub or low screen in the northern Great Plains and intermountain west.

Prunus x sieboldii
A slow growing, small deciduous tree reaching up to 20 feet that is the natural hybrid between Prunus speciosa and P. apetala. The largest on record is - 30 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 2 feet.
The heavily serrated foliage is up to 5 inches in length and densely downy beneath.
The pink, semi-double flowers up to 2 inches in width are borne in small clusters.
The stems are shiny.
Hardy zones 5 to 9
'Caespitosa'
Reaches up to 20 feet with foliage that is bronze in spring and red in autumn. Flowers are bright pink.

Prunus simonii ( Apricot Plum )
A moderate growing large shrub to small tree reaching up to 18 feet that is native to Hebei Province in eastern China. Some records include: 27 years - 35 x 20 feet with a trunk diameter of 16 feet which is also the largest on record.
The minutely-toothed, oblong leaves are up to 4 x 2 inches in size. The foliage is glossy deep green above. bright green beneath; turning to orange in autumn.
The white flowers, up to 0.8 inches wide, are borne in clusters of 2 or 3, during late spring either just before or with the emerging foliage.
They are followed by rounded, red "plums", up to 2.3 ( rarely over 1.5 ) inches in width, during mid-summer. It is cultivated for its edible fruits throughout a large portion of northern China.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

Prunus sogdiana ( Sogdian Plum )
Also called Prunus cerasifera var sogdiana, it forms a small tree, reaching a maximum size of 27 x 30 feet, that is native to Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan & Xinjiang Province of northwestern China.
The toothed, narrow-elliptic leaves, up to 2 x 1.6 inches in size are deep green above, light green beneath. The foliage turns to yellow during autumn.
The abundant, 5-petalled, white flowers up to 0.8 inches wide, are borne in dense clusters during early spring before the foliage emerges.
They are followed by edible, small "Plums" up to 2 inches across that are either red or blue. The fruits are good for making wine, juices and jellies.
The bark is gray and smooth, with horizontal lenticals, becoming rougher in very old trees.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 ( est ) in full sun on well drained soil. It is heat loving, cold and drought tolerant. Pruning is often needed when young, especially training to a single leader and feathering since this tree is prone to suckering from both the trunk and the roots.

Prunus speciosa ( Oshimo Cherry )
Also called Prunus lannesiana. A wide-spreading tree that is native to China though also cultivated in Japan for centuries. Some records include: 20 years - 17 feet ( avg ); largest on record - 47 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 8.2 feet. Moderately long-lived, it can persist as long as 800 years.
The toothed, oval leaves are up to 4 x 2.5 inches in size. The foliage is bronze at first, turning to mid-green.
The pure white flowers are borne during early spring with the emerging foliage. Hardy zones 6 to 8.

Prunus spinosa ( Blackthorn )
A dense, suckering, rounded, large shrub or small tree to 20 feet, that is native to much of Europe, western Asia and northern Africa. Some records include: 20 years - 23 x 20 feet; largest on record - 40 x 25 feet in height with a trunk diameter of 2.6 feet. The Blackthorn can live up to 60 years or more. Great for screening and informal hedging. It often eventually spreads to form dense thickets.
The leathery, oval to oblong leaves, up to 2 x 1 inches, are deep green in color.
The white flowers to 0.7 inches are borne in early spring, before the foliage.
The bitter-tasting, blue-black, rounded "Plums" are up to 0.6 inches in length.
The rough bark is very dark gray to nearly black. The stems are very thorny.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 ( 3a estimate for southwest Siberian seed source ) in full sun on well drained soil. It thrives on poor soil, is wind and salt breeze tolerant ( great for coastal areas ) and is excellent for hedging and screens. Prune after flowering.
Propagation is from softwood cuttings taken during summer.

* photo of unknown internet source

* historic archive photo

* excellent photo link found on internet
http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id39513/

* excellent video found on youtube

'Plena'
Similar except for double flowers.

* historic archive photo


'Purpurea'
Similar, except the foliage is red in spring, later turning to purple. The flowers are pink.

Prunus spinosissima
A thorny, divaricate-stemmed, large shrub to small tree, reaching up to 10 x 10 feet, that is native to central Asia, northern Iran and Afghanistan where it is rare. It is used to stabilize sand dunes in its native range.
The toothed, oblanceolate to narrow-elliptical leaves, up to 1.2 x 0.2 inches in size, are deep green.
The abundant, pink flowers, up to 0.8 inches wide, are borne during spring before the foliage emerges.
They are followed by oval or rounded fruits, up to 0.8 inches in length.
Hardy zones 6 to 8 ( 5 on protected sites ) in full sun on dry, well drained soil. It is very heat and drought tolerant.

Prunus subcordata ( Klamath Plum )
A fast growing, suckering, round canopied, deciduous, small tree native from the Portland, Oregon south in valleys into central California, often reaching 20 feet with stiff, horizontal branches. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 2 feet; largest on record - 40 x 20 feet with a trunk diameter of 1.5 feet. It often forms thickets in the wild.
The finely-toothed, heart shaped to rounded leaves are up to 3 x 2 inches in size. The glossy deep green foliage turns to scarlet-red during autumn.
The small, white flowers are up to 0.7 inches in width and are bornein umbels of 2 to 4 in early spring before the foliage emerges.
The tart tasting, oval, fruit, up to 1.3 inches long are deep purplish-red and ripen in late summer. The fruits vary in taste, but in regions with good soil and abundant rainfall, can be quite tasty and good eaten fresh or dried.
The branches have many spurs which often end in a thorn.
The bark is gray brown, scaly and fissured.
The buds are reddish-brown.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in sun or partial shade and is drought tolerant. I personally do not know of any Klamath Plums growing in the eastern U.S.

* photo taken by Jean Pawek @ CalPhotos


Prunus subhirtella ( Higan Cherry )
A fast growing, broad to flat topped, medium- size to large tree to 50 feet or sometimes much more, that is native to Japan. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 6 feet; largest on record - 100 x 100 feet with a trunk diameter of 12.5 feet; largest in Pennsylvania - 65 x 84 x 6 feet. There are reports of trees surviving as long as 1200 years in Japan.
The toothed, narrow-elliptical leaves are up to 6 x 3 inches in size. The luxuriant foliage is bright green at first, later turning to deep green. The foliage often turns to orange or red during autumn.
The small white or pink flowers are borne in clusters of 2 to 5 during early spring before the foliage emerges. They are later replaced by tiny, blackish-purple "cherries", up to 0.3 inches wide, during early summer.
The bark on older trees is fissured and dark grayish-brown.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun on well drained soil. Heat, clay and alkaline soil tolerant.
Cultivars are propagated from softwood cuttings taken during summer.

* historic archive photo


* excellent photo link found on internet
http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id39519/

'Autumnalis'
The pale pink, semi-double flowers commonly open in autumn then randomly during warm spells in winter then heavily in early spring.
It has survived at zone 4b Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa, Canada but has been reduced to an 8 foot shrub that occasionally suffers winter dieback and refuses to bloom.

* photo taken on April 6 2010 in Clarksville, MD


* photos taken on Apr 17 2016 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* autumnalis higan cherry in Howard Co., MD

* photos taken on Nov 3 2022 in Ellicott City, MD


'Hally Jolivette'
A rounded medium-sized tree, reaching up to 40 x 40 feet. It is a hybrid between Prunus subhirtella and P. yedoensis.
The double flowers are pink in bud, opening to white.
Hardy zones 4b to 8, it has proven hardy at Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa, Ontario as it seems to toughen up after some winter dieback during initial years.

'Pendula' ( Weeping Higan Cherry )
Weeping in habit, reaching up to 50 feet in height with light pink flowers. Some records include: largest on record - 65 x 84 feet with a trunk diameter of 10 ( over 5.5 feet ex. rare ) feet. Very long-lived, it is possible for these trees to persist as long as 1000 years.


* photo taken on March 2010 in Laurel, MD

* photo taken on April 6 2010 in Clarksville, MD


* photos taken on Apr 20 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 28 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 3 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 27 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 5 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 11 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 16 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 22 2023 in Columbia, MD

* historic archive photo


'Pendula Rosea'
Similar to 'Pendula' but with pink flowers.

* photos taken on Mar 22 2012 in Howard Co., MD


* photo taken on Mar 8 2017 in Harford Co., MD

* photo taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

* photos taken on Apr 14 2018 in Luzerne Co., PA

* photos taken on Apr 22 2022 in Kingston, PA

* photos taken on Apr 14 2023 in Kingston, PA


'Pendula Rubra'
Similar to 'Pendula' except with flowers that are red in bud, opening to deep pink.

* photo taken on June 12 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 22 2019 in Columbia, MD


'Shidare Higan'
Similar to 'Pendula' but with lighter color flowers

* Photos taken on March 28 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum








* photos taken on Mar 26 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Wash, D.C.

* photo taken on Apr 6 2021 in Columbia, MD


'Stellata'
Similar to P. subhirtella with the same size and habit.
The deep green foliage turns to yellow in autumn.
The single, pink flowers are borne in massed clusters during early to mid spring.

Prunus takeshimensis ( Takesimense Cherry )
A very fast growing, medium-size tree of high ornamental value, that is native to Korea. Some records include: 22 years - 40 x 45 feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot; fastest recorded growth rate - 6 feet.
The deeply-veind, sharply-toothed, obovate leaves are mid-green, turning to yellow during autumn.
The white flowers are borne on dense clusters during early spring.
Hardy zones 6 to 8 ( est ). It is flood tolerant and often grows on floodplains in its natural range.

* photo taken on March 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on May 8 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.


Prunus tenella ( Dwarf Russian Almond )
A bushy, suckering, upright deciduous shrub, that can reach a maximum size of 8 x 10 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native from central Europe to eastern Siberia. It is endangered in the Czech Republic. It has reached 3.3 x 10 feet and persisted over 60 years at Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa, Canada.
The narrowly-oval leaves, up to 4 x 1 inch in size, are glossy deep green above, pale green beneath.
The abundant, bright pink to deep pink-red flowers, up to 0.5 inches across, are borne along the stems during early spring before the foliage. It is sometimes mistakingly thought to be Chaenomeles ( Flowering Quince ) however blooms later with smaller, dull yellow fruit.
Hardy zones 2 to 6 in full sun to partial shade on fertile, well drained soil. Very drought tolerant. It is prone to Black Knot Fungus in humid climates. Prune immediately after blooming as it blooms on old wood. Propagation is from softwood cuttings taken during summer or seed sown during fall.

* Prunus tenella in Port Milford, ON

USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Herman, D.E., et al. 1996. North Dakota tree handbook

* photo taken on May 8 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 7 2019 @ Univ. of Maryland, College Park

* excellent photo link found on internet
http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id39535/

var georgica
Much larger in size, reaching a maximum of 20 feet. The leaves and white flowers are also larger.

'Fire Hill'
Larger and more upright, reaching up to 10 feet in height, with rosy-red flowers.
Grafted plants tend to be short-lived.

* photo taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europe's premier plant nursery

* photo taken on June 1 2014 @ Maryland Horticulturalist Society garden tour, Columbia


'Regal'
A form especially well adapted to the northern Greet Plains including much of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Hardy north to zone 2. It is very tolerant of heavy clay if well drained. It however does not enjoy humid summers and wet winters as are found in the eastern U.S. It does breed true from seed.

* Photos courtesy of USDA NRCS.


Prunus tomentosa ( Nanking Cherry )
A fast growing, dense shrub, reaching up to 10 feet or more, that is a widespread native of temperate China including Manchuria. Some records include: 10 years - 10 x 10 feet; largest on record - 17 x 17 feet.
The double-toothed, elliptical leaves, up to 3.5 x 1.5 inches in size, are deeply-veined and somewhat puckered. The foliage is deep green above and downy gray below.
The showy, abundant, pale pink ( less often white ) flowers, up to an inch wide are borne singly or in pairs during mid-spring before the foliage emerges.
They are followed by tasty, downy, red "cherries", up to 0.5 inches wide, during early summer. Seedlings can bear fruit in as little as 3 years. 2 or more plants in close proximity are required for best fruit production. Fruit production can be very abundant on a well grown Nanking Cherry, even hiding the stems.
The young stems are also downy. Older stems have shiny red-brown exfoliating bark.
Hardy zones 2 to 6 in full sun to partial shade. It grows well in harsh climates, even Manitoba and interior Alaska.

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Herman, D.E., et al. 1996. North Dakota tree handbook

* historical archive photo

* photos taken on Mar 20 2015 in Bel Air, MD

* photos taken by Dr. Nick V. Kurzenko @ CalPhotos

* historic archive photo

* excellent photo link found on internet
http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id217419/
http://www.plantarium.ru/page/image/id/131299.html

Prunus triloba ( Dwarf Flowering Almond )
A large, dense shrub that can reach up to 12 x 12 feet, that is native to eastern Siberia, central China, Manchuria and Korea. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 3.3 feet; largest on record - 20 x 20 feet. Though it does not naturally grow as a tree, it can be trained as such.
The double-toothed, pbovate or broadly-elliptical leaves, up to 4 x 1.5 inches in size, are often 3 lobed. The mid-green foliage turns to yellow during autumn.
It is smothered by semi-double or double, pale pink flowers, up to 2 inches wide, during early spring before the foliage appears.
The downy skinned, red fruits, up to 0.7 inches wide, vary in abundance from year to year.
For more vigorous growth and better blooming the following year; cut flowered branches hard immediately after bloom in finished.
Hardy zones 2 to 7

* photos taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europe's premier plant nursery

* photos taken by Nick Kurzenko @ CalPhotos

* historic archive photo


'Multiplex'
A larger, more vigorous form, reaching 15 x 15 feet in size, sometimes more. It is often grafted on a trunk to form a standard tree however is often short lived when grown this way.
The abundant, large flowers are bright rosy-pink.

* photos taken on May 28 2018 in Columbia, MD


Prunus umbellata ( Flatwoods Plum )
A strong branched, small tree reaching around 20 feet in height that is native to bottomlands and swamps in the southeast U.S. ( from far southeast Oklahoma to Tennessee to North Carolina, south to the Gulf Coast and central Florida ).
It does NOT sucker and form thickets. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 3 feet; largest on record - 43 x 37 feet with a trunk diameter of 2 feet.
The singly-toothed, small, oblong leaves only reach 2.8 ( rarely over 2 ) inches in length.
They are bronze at first during spring turning to deep green in summer then to golden-yellow in autumn.
The white flowers up to an inch in width are borne in early spring before the foliage emerges.
The fruits are sour, glaucous purplish black and up to 0.5 inches in width.
The fruits are generally used in making preserves only.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 and tolerant of dry, sandy soils.

Prunus virginiana ( Choke Cherry )
Native to Canada and the northern U.S. ( from Atlin, British Columbia to southwest Northwest Territories to northern Manitoba to Landsdowne House, Ontario to the entire length of the Attawapisket River in Ontario to Newfoundland, south to mountainous parts of California, AZ and New Mexico to Oklahoma to western North Carolina to Maryland...not south of Maryland on coastal plain ); this is a variable plant often seen as an understory shrub in the wild though on ideal sites can become a small to medium size tree to 30 feet. In the Windsor/Essex County, Ontario region; it was abundant along the Canard River Valley, at Point Pelee, the Lake Erie islands as well as on the Ohio shore during the 1800s. It occurred sporadically at Detroit during that time. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 5 feet with trunk diameter increase of 1 inch; largest on record - 80 x 90 feet with a trunk diameter of 4.5 feet recorded in Owings Mills, Maryland. Short-lived, it rarely exceeds 50 years in age.
The oval or elliptic leaves are up to 6 x 4 inches in size though often only half that. The foliage is glossy deep green.
The 0.5 inches, white flowers are borne in dense racemes up to 6 inches in length, during spring after the foliage emerges.
The small red to black fruits, up to 0.5 inches wide are bitter and acidic though loved by birds. The name Chokecherry comes from the reputation of the fruit of this tree tasting bad, however cooking does considerable improve the taste. The fruit can be used in making jelly, syrup and wine.
The bark is red brown with pale lenticals.
Hardy zones 2 to 6 and tolerant of wind, salt, shade, heat and drought but prone to borers. Propagation is from seed soaked in water then cold stratified for 3 to 4 months before sowing 0.7 inches deep.

* photos taken on April 17 2010 in Clarksville, MD

* photo taken on Apr 26 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 4 2013 in Bayfield, Ontario

* photo taken by Jean Pawek @ CalPhotos

* photo taken by Sheri Hagwood @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* photos taken on Apr 25 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 16 2016 in Grand Bend, ON

* photo taken on Apr 28 2017 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Jul 19 2017 @ Major's Hill Park, Ottawa, ON

* common chokecherry in N Battleford, SK


'Canada Red'
Purple-red foliage. Comes 70 % true from seed.

* photos taken @ U.S. Botanical Garden, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

* canada red chokecherry in Mitchells Bay, ON


'Midnight Schubert'
Non suckering, fast growing tree. The foliage is larger than the species and is green in at first spring, soon turning to deep purple.

* photos taken on Jul 17 2017 in Ottawa, ON


'Shubert'
More disease resistant than the species. Foliage is green at first in spring before turning to deep purple.

* photo taken on May 26 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 25 2015 @ Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

* photos taken on Oct 19 2015 in Howard Co., MD

* photo taken on July 16 2016 in Grand Bend, ON

* photos taken on Apr 18 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 3 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Jul 18 2017 @ Dominion Arboretum, Ottawa, ON

* photo taken on Jul 19 2017 in @ Major's Hill Park, Ottawa, ON

* photos taken on Apr 27 2018 in Columbia, MD

* shubert chokecherry in Owen Sound, ON

* shubert chokecherry in Hamilton, ON

* shubert chokecherry in Peterborough, ON

* shubert chokecherry in Indiana

* shubert chokecherry in Barrhead, Alberta

* photo taken on June 5 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 18 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 20 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 10 2023 @ Collingwood Arboretum, Collingwood, ON


'Sucker Punch'
Vigorous, straight-trunked and pyramidal in habit, later becoming pyramidal. It reaches up to 27 x 20 feet in 13 years, eventually larger and usually remains sucker free.
The foliage emerges green, then transitions to deep red-purple.
Hardy zones 3 to 6

Prunus x yedoensis ( Yoshino Cherry )
A rapid growing, wide spreading, rounded medium sized tree reaching up to 50 feet that is the hybrid between Prunus speciosa and P. subhirtella. It is upright when young and eventually develops a spreading crown. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 6 feet; 53 years - 42 x 61 feet with a trunk diameter of 4.1 feet; largest on record - 60 x 73 feet with a trunk diameter of 6.6 feet.
Many large trees grow around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC and at Longwood Gardens near Philly. Somewhat short-lived, Yoshino Cherries exceeding 100 years in age are very rare.
The sharply toothed, elliptical leaves are up to 6 x 3 inches in size.
They are bright green at first turning to glossy deep green during summer then to vivid orange and red in autumn.
The fragrant flowers are borne in racemes of 5 or 6 during early spring before and as the foliage emerges. The blooms which smother the canopy are white fading to soft light pink before falling. The blooms are followed by tiny, black fruits.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 ( possible 4 if very sheltered ) in full sun on most well drained soils. Alkaline tolerant.

* photos taken on March 28 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum


* photo taken on April 6 2010 in Columbia, MD





* photo taken on Apr 28 2015 in Howard Co., MD

* photos taken on May 3 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 16 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 25 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 29 2016 in Harford Co., MD

* photo taken on Apr 8 2016 in Harford Co., MD

* photo taken on Apr 2 2016 in Howard Co., MD

* photos taken on Nov 9 2017 in Harford Co., MD

* photos taken on Mar 26 2020 in Columbia, MD


'Akebeno'
Fast growing with foliage that remains deep green late, often into November.

* photo taken on March 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC


'Shidare Yoshino'
Profuse pure white flowers and weeping branches. Reaches up to 15 x 25 feet in 10 years, 25 x 30 feet in less than 20 years, eventual size unknown.