Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Prunus rufa
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Himalayan cherry

A small, round-headed tree with glossy, peeling, dark red-brown bark. Small, solitary or paired, hanging flowers are produced with the leaves in late spring, followed by dark red, oval fruit up to 10mm across

Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Brown Red White Green
Summer Brown Red Green
Autumn Brown Red Green Red
Winter Brown Red
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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
Himalaya to Tibet

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by chip budding or grafting, although softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat can be successful

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 1. Prune in mid-summer if silver leaf is a problem

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to silver leaf, bacterial canker and blossom wilt. 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.