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Nanking Bush Cherry
Description
The Nanking Cherry Bush is a lovely ornamental shrub with fragrant white flowers in the spring and edible scarlet fruit that ripen mid-summer. This cherry bush is incredibly hardy and dense enough to serve as a hedge or edible border.
Bearing fruit within the first few years, this high producing cherry variety is relished by birds and pollinators alike. The cherries can be eaten fresh or used in pies, jams, and jellies.
The Nanking Cherry is a vigorous, adaptable shrub particularly suited to the cold winters and hot summers of the central and northern plains. Plant two or more of the same variety for cross-pollination.
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Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will issue a one-time merchandise credit to your account equaling 125% of the original product purchase price. Read more about our warranty policy.
Characteristics
| Bloom Color | White |
| Fruit Color | Red |
| Fruit Size | Small |
| Ripens/Harvest | July |
| Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
| Soil Composition | Loamy |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
| Soil pH Level | 5.0 - 7.5 |
| Taste | Tart, Tangy |
| Texture | Juicy |
| Years to Bear | 2 - 4 |
| Zone Range | 2 - 7 |
Zone Compatibility
This Variety's Zone Range
2 - 7
My Hardiness Zone
?
The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatability range of this variety before ordering.
Size & Spacing
Mature Size
When your tree matures, it will be approximately 6 - 10' tall x 10 - 15' wide.
Recommended Spacing
We recommend spacing these trees 10 - 15' apart to ensure room for growth.
Pollination
This variety requires another one for adequate pollination.
Cross-pollination by a different variety is key to its growing and bearing success. Plant one of these varieties within 50' for best pollination.
Tools & Supplies
Having the proper tools and supplies when growing your own can make the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest! Here's a list that our experts recommend for this variety.
Planting & Care
Learn all about how to grow cherry trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.
Shipping Information
Estimated Delivery Date
This item is currently out of stock.
Arrives when it's time to plant
Your success is our priority. We work hard to make sure that your order arrives at the ideal time for planting in your location based on your local climate conditions.
Questions & Answers
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Browse 11 questions
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and 16 answers
Why did you choose this?
Stark Bro's Store
It's beautiful, hardy and will feed the birds and the kids!
Tiffany C
on Apr 20, 2021
If it does everything the profile description says it should, then my wife will be a happy camper as we have need of a privacy hedge to replace one that had worn out and was dying, plus it borders a bird feeder area so it should be just the ticket
ARTHUR M
on Feb 13, 2021
It's beautiful, hardy and will feed the birds and the kids!
Tiffany C
on Apr 20, 2021
I wanted a small bush that my grandkids could pick and it is very hardy.
Eric B
on Feb 22, 2021
Your answer that two Nanking Trees will accomplish cross pollination contradicts what is written in the articles about Growing Cherry Trees, unless the Nanking is considered a Seed-Grown Cherry. see quote from article here: "Remember, two of the same variety will not work for cross-pollination (with the exception of seed-grown cherries). What are all varieties that will cross-pollinate the Nanking? Please clarify. Thank you.
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your inquiry. Not all cherry trees require a pollinator as some are self pollinating and do not require another tree at all to bear fruit. In this case of the Nanking cherry it is an ornamental shrub and does not follow the same guidelines as a regular cherry tree.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Jan 5, 2021
What is the best pollinator for Nanking Cherry in zone 4?
BEST ANSWER: The Nanking Cherry is a vigorous, adaptable shrub particularly suited to the cold winters and hot summers of the central and northern plains. Plant two or more of the same variety for cross-pollination.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Dec 15, 2020
can nanking cherry be grown in a pot?
BEST ANSWER: You can grow almost anything in a container! This excellent article will answer your questions and provide good advice. Please see "Growing Fruit Trees in Containers" //www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/fruit-trees-in-containers-pt1
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Feb 9, 2021
What specific problems might I encounter if I were to plant Nanking cherries in zone 9b?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. Your zone is to warm and does not receive enough chill hours for this variety. It will not bear fruit.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Feb 16, 2021
How far apart do you need to plant from each other?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. We recommend spacing these trees 10 - 15' apart to ensure room for growth.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Feb 16, 2021
Can you ship to CA?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. I do not show any current restrictions for this variety and it should be able to ship to California. However restrictions do change often due to the USDA , for most current policy reach out to your local extension office.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Feb 16, 2021
Is this Nanking Bush Cherry actually a hush or a tree? The Mature Size references a tree. Will this bush get 15??? wide?
BEST ANSWER: Definitely a bush. Mine haven't gotten nearly as large as advertised, but then I'm zone 3b with some fairly low fertility sandy soil.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Scott T on Mar 2, 2021
In the Pollination section it states: ??? This variety requires another one for adequate pollination.
Cross-pollination by a different variety is key to its growing and bearing success. Plant one of these varieties within 50' for best pollination.??? What different variety would you recommend?
Cross-pollination by a different variety is key to its growing and bearing success. Plant one of these varieties within 50' for best pollination.??? What different variety would you recommend?
BEST ANSWER: According to the Arbor Day Foundation, Nanking cherry (Prunus tomentosa) is not self-fertile. Two or more shrubs should be planted within 100' of each other to ensure cross-pollination.
Information from Alberta, Canada's Agriculture and Rural Development website has some suggestions on cross-pollination:
Nanking cherries need cross pollination, for fruit production, therefore more than one plant is required, or an early flowering plum such as Brookgold, Bounty or Dandy.
Information from Alberta, Canada's Agriculture and Rural Development website has some suggestions on cross-pollination:
Nanking cherries need cross pollination, for fruit production, therefore more than one plant is required, or an early flowering plum such as Brookgold, Bounty or Dandy.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Feb 16, 2021
Is the fruit tart/sour or sweet?
How large is this Nanking Cherry at purchase?
BEST ANSWER: This is a bare root variety and will ship 2-3 feet tall and mature to be 6-10 feet tall.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Dec 3, 2020
Customer Reviews
3.7 / 5.0
3 Reviews
rodent food
This tree produces a lot of fruit but the cherries are 90% pit and 10% meat. They are not worth the trouble of preparing to eat!
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February 11, 2021
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Know what Nanking Cherries are for
You grow Nanking cherries for production of preserves, juice, wine, syrup and maybe pies, if you don't mind the time to pit them. They are not what people expect in terms of fresh eating, especially given their natural tartness.
Their value to me is in their productivity, and they can be picked for 2-3 weeks - if you can keep the birds off them (we have a lot o wild cherries around that birds flock to, and I throw netting over them as I do blueberries). They're also quite drought resistant, once established.
They will get up to 15' high, but I tend to keep them pruned lower so I can harvest more easily. They make super nice hedge.
Their value to me is in their productivity, and they can be picked for 2-3 weeks - if you can keep the birds off them (we have a lot o wild cherries around that birds flock to, and I throw netting over them as I do blueberries). They're also quite drought resistant, once established.
They will get up to 15' high, but I tend to keep them pruned lower so I can harvest more easily. They make super nice hedge.
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February 12, 2021
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Recommendation for my hardiness zone
This bush is not recommended for my zone. I would like to see, added to your information page, similar plants that can be grown in my zone as a quick reference. Thanks!
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February 13, 2021
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