Chokecherry, Canada Red Prunus virginiana 'Canada Red' Height: 25 feet Spread: 20 feet
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Hardiness Zone: 2a Other Names: Common Chokecherry Description: Can be grown as a single or multi stemmed small tree or large shrub; lovely hanging clusters of white blooms in spring are followed by rich purple foliage and dark fruit in summer; Ornamental Features Chokecherry, Canada Red features showy chains of white flowers hanging below the branches in mid spring. It has attractive deep purple deciduous foliage which emerges green in spring. The oval leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding red in the fall. The fruits are showy red drupes with purple overtones, which are carried in abundance in mid summer. This plant is primarily grown as an ornamental, but it's also valued for its edible qualities. The small round tart fruit is most often used in the following ways: Landscape Attributes Chokecherry, Canada Red is a deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds and bees to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics. Chokecherry, Canada Red is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Chokecherry, Canada Red will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a high canopy of foliage that sits well above the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn't require a second plant nearby to set fruit. This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. This plant should be periodically fertilized throughout the active growing season with a specially-formulated acidic fertilizer. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species. Special Attributes Blooms are long clusters growing on the last year's twig growth & appear before the leaves are fully developed. Chokecherry fruits have a fleshy outside with a stone center that contains the seed.
