Small suckering tree or large shrub with attractive white flowers on 3-6″ long clusters in spring. Fruit is red, ripening to purple in fall. Grow as a screen or as an understory planting as it has unusual shade tolerance for a cherry. Forms large upright clumps. Host plant for the larvae of a number of moths and butterflies.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana
Plant Type: Shrubs
Native Environment: Forest
Season of Interest: Late (July - frost), Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Yellow
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Photo: Alan Branhagen

Sun Exposure
Medium Sun/Average Shade, Shade

Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate, High

Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects, Songbirds

Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host, Cover, Food/Birds, Food/Pollinators, Food/Small Animals, Nesting

Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
20 to
30
feet
Spread:
18 to
25
feet
Size
Height: 20 to
30
feet
Spread: 18 to
25
feet
Size
Height: 20 to
30
feet
Spread: 18 to
25
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Ornamental, used for erosion control,screen/shelter,good wildlife cover & food. Fruit can be used in jellies, pies and wine making.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Can be grown in shade as an understory shrub, but will fruit best in full sun. Tolerant of many soils, including high pH & clay, drought tolerant.
Special Features
Special Usage
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.