Cherry & Almond Cultivars for the Prairies


    

Cultivar Name Height Spread

Zone

Flowers

Foliage

Description

Cistena Cherry

Prunus x cistena

4-6 feet   4-6 feet 3 Small, fragrant, single,  light pink Deep, purplish- red  An attractive oval shaped shrub with purple bark  It is vigorous, hardy and prefers a sheltered location with moist, well-drained soil. For best foliage color, plant in sun.  Prune annually after blooming to keep it dense and compact.  Attracts birds.
Double Flowering Plum

Prunus triloba 'Multiplex'

6-8 feet  6-8 feet 2 Masses of double rose- pink flowers Fuzzy green turning to a yellowish- bronze in the fall. Breathtaking show of flowers  burst into bloom before the leaves appear in spring. Requires at least 6 hours of sunlight in order to bloom well. Upright spreading form.  Does not bear fruit. 
Nanking Cherry

Prunus tomentosa

6-8 feet  6-8 feet 2 Showy pink Fuzzy, deeply veined green foliage Upright spreading ornamental shrub bearing sweet, glossy red berries in July.  Berries are good in pies, jellies or for fresh eating.
Russian Almond

Prunus tenella

2-3 feet  2-3 feet 3 Single rose- red Shiny, narrow leaves, dark green with paler undersides Before most other shrubs start blooming, the flowerbuds of the Russian Almond burst open to completely cover the branches in a showy display. The flowers are followed by edible, almond-shaped furry nuts. This globe-shaped plant is adaptable and drought tolerant.   

Compiled by Rachel Giesbrecht on February 12, 2004.

 

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