Prunus virginiana

Common Names

Chokecherry, Common Chokecherry, Virginia Chokecherry, Western Chokecherry, Eastern Chokecherry, Virginia Bird Cherry, Bitter-Berry, Bitter Cherry, Black Chokecherry, Red Chokecherry, Whiskey Chokecherry, Jam Cherry, Bird Cherry, Wild Cherry

Summary

Chokecherry, a North American native shrub or small tree in the Rosaceae family, often forms dense thickets via rhizomes or suckers and typically reaches about 20–30 feet tall and 15–20 feet wide. It features fragrant white flowers in racemes in spring, followed by red to dark purple-black drupes; leaves are dark green and glossy, turning yellow in autumn, and the bark on young stems is smooth, becoming gray-brown with age. Wildlife rely on the fruit and the plant provides erosion control, shelterbelts, and wildlife habitat, while its flowers and fruit add ornamental value.

Prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soils; hardy in zones 2–7, with drought tolerance once established. Can spread by rhizomes and suckers, forming dense thickets useful for erosion control, shelterbelts, and wildlife habitat. Propagation is by seed requiring stratification or by cuttings; pruning to manage size or renew old wood is common in landscapes. Fruits are edible for jams, jellies, and wines, though raw flesh is bitter; leaves, bark, stems, and seeds contain hydrocyanic acid, posing toxicity risks to livestock and humans; some regions consider chokecherry weedy or invasive, so local guidance is advised.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

20-30 feet

Spread

10-20 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 2-7

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun; tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil rich in organic matter, tolerating a pH range of 5–8.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

5.0-8.0

wide pH range; slightly acidic to slightly alkaline

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Dark green (glossy)

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow to orange

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Grafting

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds and pollinators (bees and butterflies)