My first introduction to a Nanking Cherry, Prunus tomentosa, was over twenty years ago when the interest in local, sustainably produced food was just beginning. One of the early growers was Stephen ... The Nanking cherry fruits, called drupes, are much smaller than a regular cherry and are more reminiscent of a plum than a cherry.

Understanding the Context

The Nanking cherry is especially attractive because it can be used as an ornamental bush that can function as a decorative hedge and serve as a windbreak. How to Grow and Care for Nanking Cherry Bush - The Spruce What are Nanking Cherries? As with most cherry trees, Nanking Cherries (Prunus Tomentosa) is another great option to offer you year-round visual appeal. Nanking Cherries display soft pink flowers in the Spring, followed by tart fruit in July thru August and red bark in the fall months.

Key Insights

Are you looking for a cold-hardy fruit tree that produces an abundance of late-season fruit? If so, try growing Nanking cherry bushes. In this article, plant expert Matt Dursum covers how to plant, grow, and care for Nanking cherry bushes this year. Written by Matt Dursum Horticulture review by Sarah Jay Last updated: | 9 min read Two or more shrubs should be planted within 100' of each other to ensure cross-pollination. Fragrant white spring flowers, shiny reddish-brown bark, and edible scarlet fruit make the Nanking cherry a favorite for mass plantings and borders.

Final Thoughts

Nanking cherry (prunus tomentosa) is a unique fruit to western growers, but it’s been cultivated in the east for millennia. The small fruits look like cherries, but they’re actually more closely related to plums. Nanking cherry (Prunus tomentosa) is a central Asian species of bush cherry tree native to China, Japan, and the Himalayas. They were introduced into the U.S. in 1882 and are winter hardy in USDA zones 3 to 6. The Nanking cherry is a fast-growing species that sets fruit within two years.

Nanking Bush Cherry Care – How To Grow A Bush Cherry Tree Though often called a "cherry" and superficially resembling them, Nanking cherry is more closely related to plums than true cherries. [6] It prefers full sun and grows naturally in a variety of soils.