Amur Chokecherry

May 28

Scientific name: Prunus maackii

Amur chokecherry is also known as Manchurian cherry and Amur cherry. It is a small, deciduous tree native to Manchuria, Siberia, and Korea. Rounded in form, this graceful tree grows to a height of 20 ft and a width of 25 ft.

Fragrant, white flowers bloom in spring. Fruits are small, glossy cherries that mature from red to black. Ripening in late summer, fruits can be made into jams, jellies, and juices. Green, serrated leaves turn lemon yellow in fall.

Amur chokecherry is remarkable for its nice fall color, bronze-red peeling bark, and showy winter interest. The common name refers to the Amur River that flows for 1,000 miles between Russia and China. The species name maackii honors Richard Karlovich Maack, a 19th century Russian naturalist. Great as an accent, lawn, or shade tree, this fast-growing, cold hardy tree requires full sun and grows in plant hardiness zones 2-9.