Prunus mahaleb
St Lucie cherry
A spreading, deciduous tree to 10m, with glossy, mid-green leaves which turn yellow in autumn. In mid- to late spring produces small sprays of very fragrant, bowl-shaped, white flowers, followed by small, glossy, very bitter, red cherries ripening to black. Mahaleb is a spice produced from the kernels of the cherry stones
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Black Red | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical 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
- Plant range
- C Europe & Asia Minor
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any moist but well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers outdoors in autumn; or by softwood cuttings, with bottom heat, in early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
Pruning
Pruning group 1, ideally in summer to reduce the risk of silver leaf infection
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and caterpillars
Diseases
May be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus. High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.