Nanking Cherry
Prunus tomentosa
fruitNanking cherry (Prunus tomentosa) is an extremely cold-hardy, fast-growing shrub cherry, 6 to 10 ft tall, native to Asia and hardy to about minus 40. In early spring it is smothered in fragrant pink-budded white blossoms, followed in early summer by masses of small, bright-red, sweet-tart cherries about the size of a large pea. The fruit is excellent fresh and outstanding in jam, jelly, pie, syrup, and wine. The shrub is short-lived but quick to bear, drought tolerant once established, and makes a fine flowering and fruiting hedge.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 7 days
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Harvest
~2 yrs
to first harvest
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
6-15 ft apart (closer for a hedge)
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Planting Depth
Plant at the same depth it grew in the nursery, with roots well spread
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Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Growing Details
Soil Type
Loamy or sandy, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 2 – 7
When to Fertilize
Feed lightly in early spring
Fertilizer
Balanced fertilizer or compost; modest needs
🌱 Growing Guide
Plant Nanking cherry in full sun in well-drained loamy or sandy soil; it tolerates a wide pH range and, once established, drought. Plant two or more shrubs within about 15 to 20 ft for cross-pollination, which is needed for a good crop. It is fast-growing and easy, requiring only light pruning to shape or to rejuvenate older wood, and works well planted in a row as a productive hedge. It is very cold hardy and adaptable. Watch for the usual cherry problems, especially plum curculio and brown rot in humid areas.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first harvest
Jun 29 · Year 3
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
Year 1
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Clover: A nitrogen-fixing groundcover that feeds the shrubs and draws pollinators
- Yarrow: Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators for better fruit set
- Daffodil: A ring of bulbs deters voles and rabbits that gnaw stems
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
A weevil that scars young fruit; remove dropped fruit and consider kaolin clay during fruit set
A fungus that rots blossoms and fruit; prune for airflow and remove mummified fruit and debris
Cluster on new shoots; rinse off, conserve ladybugs, and manage ants
🌾 Harvest & storage
Nanking cherries ripen in early summer, turning bright red and slightly soft and pulling free easily; they are borne in great abundance over a short window, so harvest promptly before birds take them. The small, sweet-tart cherries are good fresh and excellent cooked into jam, jelly, syrup, pie, and wine.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Nanking cherries are sweet-tart, rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Borne in huge quantities, they are eaten fresh and made into jam, jelly, syrup, pie, and wine.
⚠️ Toxicity & safety
The ripe cherries are safe and delicious. As with other cherries, the pits (seeds) and wilted leaves contain cyanogenic compounds; do not eat the pits, and keep prunings away from grazing livestock, for which wilted Prunus foliage can be poisonous.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.