Prunus tomentosa – The Charming Nanking Cherry

The Prunus tomentosa, commonly known as the Nanking Cherry, is a hardy and highly ornamental shrub that combines beauty with productivity. Native to Asia, this deciduous shrub is prized for its profusion of pinkish-white spring flowers, followed by clusters of bright red cherries that ripen in early to midsummer. Its arching branches and attractive foliage make it equally valuable as a decorative garden plant and as a source of delicious fruit.

Compact and versatile, Prunus tomentosa is suitable for borders, hedges, wildlife-friendly gardens, and even smaller plots. With its combination of spring blossoms, summer fruit, and autumn foliage colour, it offers multi-season appeal in a single plant.

General Information

Prunus tomentosa is an adaptable shrub that grows well in a variety of climates and soil conditions.

• Common name: Nanking Cherry

• Height & spread: Typically 2–3m tall and wide, forming a rounded shrub.

• Flowers: Abundant pale pink to white blooms appear in early spring before the leaves emerge.

• Fruit: Bright red cherries, 1–1.5cm across, ripen in early summer; sweet-tart flavour, ideal for fresh eating, jams, and baking.

• Foliage: Oval, softly downy green leaves turning yellow in autumn.

• Position: Prefers full sun for best fruiting, but tolerates light shade.

• Soil: Adaptable to a range of soils; thrives in fertile, well-drained ground.

• Hardiness: Fully hardy, tolerating cold winters with ease.

• Wildlife value: Flowers attract pollinators; fruit is enjoyed by birds and beneficial garden wildlife.

This shrub is self-sterile, so planting two or more will improve pollination and ensure heavy crops of fruit.

Care Guide

Prunus tomentosa is low-maintenance and suitable for both ornamental and productive gardens.

Planting

• When to plant: Best planted in autumn or spring while the soil is workable.

• Depth & spacing: Space shrubs 1.5–2m apart if planting more than one, allowing room for growth.

• Preparation: Enrich planting holes with compost or well-rotted manure.

Watering & Feeding

• Water young plants regularly during their first year to establish roots.

• Once established, plants are fairly drought-tolerant but will crop better with consistent watering in dry spells.

• Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring to encourage flowering and fruit production.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Prune lightly after fruiting to maintain shape and encourage healthy growth.

• Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches.

• Avoid heavy pruning, as cherries fruit best on older wood.

• Mulch around the base in spring to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Protection

• Generally disease resistant, though young plants may need protection from rabbits or deer.

• Birds love the fruit, so netting may be required if you want to keep a good harvest for yourself.

Why Choose Prunus tomentosa?

The Nanking Cherry is a rewarding shrub for any garden, offering beauty, resilience, and a tasty summer harvest.

• Multi-season interest: Flowers in spring, cherries in summer, colourful foliage in autumn.

• Compact size: Ideal for small gardens, hedging, or borders.

• Delicious fruit: Sweet-tart cherries perfect for eating fresh or cooking.

• Easy to grow: Hardy, low-maintenance, and adaptable to many soils.

• Wildlife-friendly: Supports pollinators and birds.

The Prunus tomentosa (Nanking Cherry) is a versatile and charming addition to the garden, providing year-round appeal and rewarding you with both beauty and fruit. Whether grown as a stand-alone feature, a productive hedge, or in mixed planting schemes, it is sure to delight both gardeners and wildlife alike.

• Size
  3 lt

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

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