Canada Red Chokecherry

Canada Red Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana 'Canada Red')

Canada Red Chokecherry is a hardy ornamental tree noted for white spring racemes and foliage that emerges green, then deepens to rich burgundy by early summer; its rounded crown, wildlife-friendly fruit, and strong seasonal color suit cold-climate landscapes.

Distinctive Features

Showy, lightly fragrant flower clusters in mid spring are followed by small red to purple-black drupes relished by birds; foliage shifts from green to wine-purple for high-contrast summer display, with orange to red fall tones in many climates.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun for best leaf color and flowering; tolerates light partial shade.
• Soil: Well-drained loam or sandy soil; adaptable to clay if drainage is improved and tolerant of slightly alkaline conditions.
• Water: Keep evenly moist during establishment; becomes moderately drought tolerant once rooted in.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 7.
• Mature Size: Typically 20 to 30 ft tall and 15 to 20 ft wide.
• Bloom Time: Mid to late spring on bare to just-emerging foliage.
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, about 6.0 to 7.8.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Burgundy summer foliage and white spring bloom make a striking lawn or entry specimen.
• Color Contrast: Deep leaves highlight light stone, silver conifers, and variegated shrubs.
• Wildlife Support: Nectar for pollinators and fruit for birds and small mammals.
• Screening: Dense branching offers seasonal privacy and wind moderation.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water deeply and regularly the first 2 to 3 years; provide occasional deep soaks during prolonged drought.
• Pruning: Prune in late winter or just after bloom to remove dead, crossing, or cankered wood; remove root suckers to maintain single-trunk form.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring only if growth is weak.
• Mulching: 2 to 3 in of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it off the trunk, to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature.
• Notes: Monitor for black knot and borers; improve air flow and avoid waterlogged sites, and promptly prune out any diseased wood well below visible galls.

Why Choose Canada Red Chokecherry?

• Seasonal Drama: White spring bloom followed by summer burgundy foliage and fall color.
• Cold-Hardy: Reliable performance in very cold climates and variable soils.
• Wildlife Value: Flowers and fruit support pollinators and birds.
• Design Versatility: Works as specimen, small shade tree, or seasonal screen.

Plant Canada Red Chokecherry in full sun and well-drained soil to showcase its evolving foliage and dependable, cold-climate charm.