Spur Schubert Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana 'Spur'
Height: 18 feet
Spread: 12 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 3a
Other Names: Common Chokecherry
Description:
Foliage emerges green becoming rich purple from mid-summer onwards; attractive racemes of white flowers in spring followed by small, astringent black cherries; slightly less susceptible to black-knot than other varieties.
Ornamental Features
Spur Schubert Chokecherry features showy chains of fragrant white flowers hanging below the branches in mid spring. It has attractive deep purple deciduous foliage which emerges green in spring. The oval leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding red in the fall. The fruits are showy black drupes carried in abundance .
Landscape Attributes
Spur Schubert Chokecherry is a deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
This is a high maintenance tree that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
- Suckering
- Disease
Spur Schubert Chokecherry is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Accent
- Shade
Planting & Growing
Spur Schubert Chokecherry will grow to be about 18 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn't require a second plant nearby to set fruit.
This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species.