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Prunus serotina (Black cherry)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
25m
Max height
Max height
18m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Prunus serotina
Other names
Black cherry, Wild black cherry, Rum cherry , Mountain black cherry
Genus
Prunus Prunus
Species
P. serotina - P. serotina is a rounded to columnar, deciduous shrub or tree, conical when young, with aromatic, narrowly oblong to lance-shaped, glossy, toothed, dark green leaves turning red and yellow in autumn. Pendent racemes of fragrant, white flowers in mid- to late spring are followed by spherical, red fruit ripening black.
Prunus serotina is: Deciduous
Fragrance
Flowers are fragrant.
Habit
Broadly columnar, Rounded
Toxicity
Leaves and seeds are toxic if consumed in large quantities.
Flower
White in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Yellow, Red in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Leaf mining moths , Vine weevil , Cherry black fly Leaf mining moths , Vine weevil , Cherry black fly
Powdery mildew , Silver leaf Powdery mildew , Silver leaf
General care
Pruning
Pruning Group 1. Develops a long tap root when young, making transplanting difficult.
Propagation
Requires two-three months cold stratification. May be slow to germinate.
Propagation methods
Seed, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Prunus serotina (Black cherry) will reach a height of 25m and a spread of 18m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, Drought Tolerant, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Waterside, Woodland
Cultivation
Best grown in moist, neutral to acid soil in full sun or partial shade. Tolerates slightly alkaline conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Prunus serotina
Other names
Black cherry, Wild black cherry, Rum cherry , Mountain black cherry
Genus
Prunus Prunus
Species
P. serotina - P. serotina is a rounded to columnar, deciduous shrub or tree, conical when young, with aromatic, narrowly oblong to lance-shaped, glossy, toothed, dark green leaves turning red and yellow in autumn. Pendent racemes of fragrant, white flowers in mid- to late spring are followed by spherical, red fruit ripening black.
Native to
North America
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
Flowers are fragrant.
Habit
Broadly columnar, Rounded
Toxicity
Leaves and seeds are toxic if consumed in large quantities.
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Colour
Flower
White in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Yellow, Red in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Leaf mining moths , Vine weevil , Cherry black fly
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Pruning Group 1. Develops a long tap root when young, making transplanting difficult.
Propagation
Requires two-three months cold stratification. May be slow to germinate.
Propagation methods
Seed, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Prunus serotina (Black cherry) will reach a height of 25m and a spread of 18m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, Drought Tolerant, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Waterside, Woodland
Cultivation
Best grown in moist, neutral to acid soil in full sun or partial shade. Tolerates slightly alkaline conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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