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black chokecherry
Prunus virginiana var. melanocarpa


Fort Collins

Synonyms
Padus virginiana ssp. melanocarpa
Dimensions
Height: 8.0 ft. to 20.0 ft.
Spread: 8.0 ft. to 12.0 ft.
Growth Form
Shrub, Tree
Program Association
Nature in the City, Xeriscape Incentive Program
Wildlife Uses
Large Mammals, Pollinators/ Invertebrates, Riparian Birds, Shrubland Birds, Small Mammals, Woodland Birds
Sun Requirements
Full Sun
Water Requirements
Low, Moderate
Plant Community
Foothills, Mountains, Plains, Riparian, Subalpine
Season of Bloom
April, May, June
Flower Color
White Shades
Leaf Color
Green Shades
Aggressiveness
Readily Suckers
Design Considerations
Edible Fruit, Fall Color, Fragrant, Screening, Showy Flowers
Other Considerations
No City Data
Duration
Perennial
Natural Landscape Position
Fort Collins Model
3, 4, 5
Soil Type
Loam, Sandy
Pests/Disease Prone
No City Data
Hazards/Toxic
Don't Consume. Plant Parts May Be Poisonous.

Notes

USDA Plants National Database recognizes three varieties of P. virginiana, all native to the U.S. Variety virginiana is native to the eastern U.S. and variety melanocarpa is native to the western, including Colorado. Variety demissa is scattered across the western U.S. and into some of the eastern states.


Orange to red fall color. Great species to draw insect and fruit eating birds to your yard. It is an important larval and adult food host for many of our native invertebrates.


All parts of this plant, including the seeds are poisonous, except the berries.