Nanking Cherry - Prunus tomentosa - €12 per plant 

A native to the central hills of Asia, Nanking Cherry has been cultivated for centuries and given its versatility, this is not surprising. Nanking Cherry fruit is usually bright red, very tasty and can be eaten fresh as well as used extensively for processing. It's pretty pinkish white blooms are a good source of nectar and attract a variety of helpful insects to the garden.  Due to its form and size, it can be used very effectively as a windbreak but also as a bush cherry, making harvesting the fruit very easy.
To order this plant please contact us [email protected]. 

Context

  • native region: Asia and west China to the Himalayas.
  • native habitat: Hillsides, slopes and ravines
  • family: Rosaceae

Pest and Predators

  • susceptible to honey fungus

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi-shade or full sun
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a - 10b
  • Prefers well drained soils
  • Needs medium moisture, although can tolerate some drought

Known hazards 

  • This species belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and seed and is readily detected by its bitter taste. It is usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm but any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten. 

Overview

  • Bare root sapling 
  • Deciduous shrub growing to 1.5m x 2m​
  • It is in flower in March - June and the seeds ripen in July. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects.. 
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. 
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or full sun. It prefers  well drained soil. 
  • The plant can tolerate some drought

Characteristics

  • form: medium sized shrub
  • layer : Shrub layer
  • habit: multi stemed
  • Size: 1.5m x 2m 

Products 

  • Fruit: Usually bright red, but can be pink and in some cases even white. Very versatile in the kitchen - can be eaten fresh, used for juices or in jams and preserves.
  • Flowers: Beautiful pinkish - white fragrant flowers attract a lot of beneficial insects. Reported that flower buds are edible after cooking, but not confirmed.

Functions, behaviours

  • An excellent candidate for a windbreak hedgerow
  • Plants produce suckers freely
  • A true bush cherry, easy to protect fruit from predating birds 
  • Partially Self-Pollinating/Self-Fertile – will produce better fruit in terms of yields and quantaty when planted with other varieties of Nanking Cherries
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project