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Prunus serotina
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

black cherry

A medium-sized, spreading, deciduous tree or large shrub. Glossy, dark green, lance-shaped leaves with finely-toothed margins turn yellow in autumn. Fragrant white flowers are borne in hanging clusters to 15cm long in early summer and are followed by red fruits that turn black in winter

Other common names
black cherry
black choke
see morecabinet cherry
capulin
rum cherry
wild black cherry
wild rum cherry
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Green Red
Autumn Yellow Red
Winter Black
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus

Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to cherry blackfly and other aphids, leaf-mining moths and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to silver leaf, blossom wilt and bacterial canker. High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa

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