This tree’s red berries are pretty to look at and delicious in jams.
The plant’s leaves, stems, and seeds are toxic to humans and pets.
John Pennell/ Getty Images
Light
Full sun exposure encourages more fruit production.
John Pennell/ Getty Images
However, the chokecherry is shade tolerant and can be grown in partially shaded areas.
However, some neglect will not damage this plant.
The chokecherry is somewhat drought-tolerant and can grow with minimal water.
It is best to keep the soil moist, not wet.
These hardy plants can be grown in a wide range of climates and conditions.
It is best to prune in the late winter or early spring.
The chokecherry can be pruned into a shrub or a tree.
Remove any low-growing branches.
If you’re looking for a smaller, shrub-like plant, prune away one-third of the old growth.
This encourages new, productive growth while maintaining the size and shape of the shrub.
Add compost or fertilize periodically to give the potted plant the nutrients it needs.
Keep potted chokecherry plants in a sunny location with enough room to branch out and grow.
Be sure to water regularly, as a potted plant does not have access to underground water sources.
When the chokecherry fills the pot and has no room to grow, it is time to repot.
Gently tip the chokecherry onto its side and loosen the roots from the pot.
Place the plant in a slightly larger pot and fill it with fresh soil.
Chokecherry is not deer resistant, as deer browse this tree, especially young trees in the winter.
What Do Chokecherry Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Chokecherry flowers bloom as dense cylindrical clusters of white petals.
The clusters range from 3 to 6 inches long.
The flowers have a sweet, almond-like fragrance.
However, they also produce larger fruit and blooms.
Weak Branches
The branches are weak and can become damaged, often breaking during ice storms.
The fruits that drop are small and they are not squishy so they won’t produce a mess.
The fruits are also quickly squirreled away by wildlife.
The berries from chokecherry trees can be harvested as early as July or August and into the fall.
The flesh of the berries can be eaten, but it is very bitter and tart.
These are two different plants but they are in the same family.
Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)grows to 30 feet tall and berries turn black as they ripen.
Prunus virginiana.The University of Texas at Austin.
Prunus virginiana (Chokecherry).North Carolina State University Gardener Extension.
Invasive Chokecherry Trees in Alaska.Alaska Community Forestry Program.
Landscape Plants.Oregon State University.
How to Grow Chokecherries in Your Garden.Utah State University.
X-Disease (Cherry Buckskin).University of California.
