Botanical Name: Prunus virginiana
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Common Name: Common Chokecherry  
Plant photo of: Prunus virginiana
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree, Shrub

 

Height Range

12-25'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

Brown, Red

 

Fruit Color

Black, Purple

 

Fruit Season

Summer

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:
  • Description

  • Notes

Chokecherry is large shrub or small tree typically growing to 15 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide, with an irregular, oval-rounded crown. It also may be found in shorter heights as a large shrub. Fragrant, cup-shaped, white flowers appear in elongated clusters to 3 to 6 inches long in mid-spring. Flowers give way to clusters of globular, pea-sized berries that ripen to dark purple/black in August. Fruits are technically edible, but are astringent (hence the common name) but can be made into jams, jellies, pies, and sauces. Fruits are very attractive to many birds and animals. Elliptic leaves with sharply toothed margins are dark green above and gray-green beneath. Fall color is golden yellow to orange. Although a Utah native and common in the wild in many parts of the U. S., the species is infrequently sold in commerce, though ‘Schubert’ and 'Canada Red', both purple-leafed forms, are commonly available. It will sucker, and so is most useful where that quality is of value, such as in naturally styled gardens or restoration areas.