Chokecherry
Deciduous shrub or small tree reaching 6-10 m tall. Features oval leaves with finely toothed edges and long clusters of small white flowers in spring. Produces small, dark red to black cherries. Adaptable to various soil conditions and full sun to partial shade. Provides food for birds and wildlife. Suitable for naturalized areas, windbreaks, and wildlife gardens. Native to most of North America.
Plant Details
Bloom Colour: White
Bloom Time: Spring
Sun Requirements: Sun to Part-Shade
Moisture: Moist-Drained
Phenology: Leaves emerge early May. White flower racemes appear late May. Fruits develop green, ripening to dark purple July-August. Orange-red fall color develops September.
Wildlife Value: Fruits eaten by >40 bird species; flowers support early season pollinators; excellent nesting cover; larval host for several butterfly species
Habit Over Time: Creates a large shrub or small tree that spreads through root suckers to form thickets. New stems emerge both close to and at some distance from the parent plant, creating a naturalistic colony over time. While it can spread extensively, the process is gradual and predictable. The multi-stemmed form allows filtered light to reach the ground.
Height: Tall (20-30 feet)