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.