Prunus tomentosa
Origin: East Asia (via Canada)
Improvement status: Landrace
Seeds per packet: ~12
BOTANICAL SAMPLE - NOT GERMINATION TESTED
Life cycle: Perennial
Nanking bush cherry is a super-cold hardy (down to Zone 2!) species from Tibet, China, Korea, and Mongolia. Despite its cold tolerance, it can handle hot and humid weather well too. The tasty red fruit are great for jam, jelly, wine, pickling, fresh eating, etc. It's also a highly ornamental tree, exploding in a riot of white-pink flowers every spring. The tree can make a lovely bonsai. It's also known as Nanjing cherry, Korean cherry, Manchu cherry, downy cherry, Shanghai cherry, Ando cherry, mountain cherry, Chinese bush cherry, and Chinese dwarf cherry.
GROWING TIPS: Cold-moist stratify seeds 60-90 days before starting. Protect seeds and young seedlings from rodent predators. Plant in a full-sun position for maximum fruit production.
