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

White flowers and green foliage of Prunus virginiana in photo by Alan Branhagen
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

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.

Where Should I Start?

Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.

What’s the Next Step?

Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!

Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?

Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.

Support the Grow Native! Program
Skip to content