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Nanking Bush Cherry

Nanking Bush Cherry

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Item #145417, Bare-root. Ships 2 - 3' tall.
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Description

New Product!

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.

125% Survival Guarantee!

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.

Read about how to grow cherry trees »

Shipping Information

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.

Tags

We've 'tagged' this item with specific keywords that help you find other products that share features or characteristics with this one. Select a tag below to view all the items that have that particular trait.

Questions & Answers

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Browse 11 questions Browse 11 questions and 13 answers
Why did you choose this?
Stark Bro's Store
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
should grow in my zone(4),quick to start producing fruit, being a bush should be able to control birds eating the cherries easier than a normal sized cherry tree, and finally it was different than most of the fruit trees I have.
john h on Feb 12, 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
I will grow in large container. I want something that matures quickly.
Deborah B on Feb 12, 2021
should grow in my zone(4),quick to start producing fruit, being a bush should be able to control birds eating the cherries easier than a normal sized cherry tree, and finally it was different than most of the fruit trees I have.
john h on Feb 12, 2021
Low growing height, large spread, cold tolerant and hardy.
David L on Feb 11, 2021
I will grow in large container. I want something that matures quickly.
Deborah B on Feb 12, 2021
Low growing height, large spread, cold tolerant and hardy.
David L on Feb 11, 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.
Ann A on Jan 4, 2021
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.
What is the best pollinator for Nanking Cherry in zone 4?
Terry H on Dec 11, 2020
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.
can nanking cherry be grown in a pot?
Susann R on Feb 8, 2021
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
What specific problems might I encounter if I were to plant Nanking cherries in zone 9b?
Josh R on Feb 15, 2021
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!
How far apart do you need to plant from each other?
Richard K on Feb 13, 2021
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!
Can you ship to CA?
Emily N on Feb 11, 2021
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!
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?
Alex I on Feb 11, 2021
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.
Is the fruit tart/sour or sweet?
Claire N on Feb 11, 2021
BEST ANSWER: sour
How large is this Nanking Cherry at purchase?
Susie R on Dec 2, 2020
BEST ANSWER: This is a bare root variety and will ship 2-3 feet tall and mature to be 6-10 feet tall.
Is this Nanking Bush Cherry actually a hush or a tree? The Mature Size references a tree. Will this bush get 15??? wide?
Melanie R on Feb 11, 2021

Customer Reviews

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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!
February 11, 2021
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.
February 12, 2021
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!
February 13, 2021

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