Rosaceae
Prunus pumila var. besseyi
Prunus pumila var. besseyi var. besseyi
Also known as Cerasus pumila subsp. besseyi, Microcerasus pumila var. besseyi, Prunus pumila subsp. besseyi, Prunus besseyi
Flowering Plants · Edibles & Herbs · Native Plants · Trees & Shrubs · Sand Cherry · Native Shrub · Edible Fruit · Prairie · Wildlife · Deciduous · Drought Tolerant · Xeriscape · Rosaceae · Fruiting Shrub
Western sand cherry is a tough, low-spreading deciduous shrub bearing fragrant white spring flowers followed by small edible dark purple cherries attractive to birds and wildlife. It tolerates a range of soils including sandy and dry conditions, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping or native prairie gardens. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a tidy shape and encourage fruiting.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 5 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply until soil is moist, then allow the top inch to dry before watering again · Every 7-10 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 5.3–7.5
- Temperature
- -40°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
Hardiness
USDA 3a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 3 ft – 10 ft
- Spread
- 6.7 ft
- Spacing
- 48 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yes
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Manitoba, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Birds
Sources: trefle, usda
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