Nanking cherries grow on a bush rather than a tree and these
fruit bearing bushes produce a tremendous crop of tart berries for jams, wine and some people make pies, but I have never tried. If you prefer to not use
the berries for food consumption then leave on the bush and feed the wildlife.
The Nanking cherry (Prunus Tomentosa) is a moderate to fast growing bush that is native to China and to Japan. The Cherries are edible for human consumption and will attract birds, deer and other wildlife to your yard.
Two years ago I bought 3 18-24 inch Nanking
Cherry bushes from Gurneys.com and planted them in full sun with well drained soil.
I fertilized the bushes with Spray n' Grow and by the end of first growing season my Nanking cherry bush had doubled in size.
This year my cherry bush was covered with pale pink spring flowers and by the end of June the bush was covered with berries.
These berries ripened to a bright red color and I harvested 1 quart of cherries for recipes and left the remaining berries on the bush for the birds.
In the fall the leaves turn a lovely shade of gold which makes the nanking a lovely accent bush.
I fertilized the bushes with Spray n' Grow and by the end of first growing season my Nanking cherry bush had doubled in size.
This year my cherry bush was covered with pale pink spring flowers and by the end of June the bush was covered with berries.
These berries ripened to a bright red color and I harvested 1 quart of cherries for recipes and left the remaining berries on the bush for the birds.
In the fall the leaves turn a lovely shade of gold which makes the nanking a lovely accent bush.
Growing Nanking Cherry
If you reside in growing zones 2-8 you can grow Nanking
Cherries. Plant two or more cherry bushes
and you will get a large yield of berries.
Fully grow bushes are 6-8 feet high and will yield a crop of
2-4 quarts of cherries. If growing more
than one bush; plant 8 feet apart.
Plant in spring after the threat of frost has past. Grow Nanking cherry bushes in a sunny area of your
yard. Cherries do not grow well in wet areas
so choose soil that is well drained.
Dig a hole that is the same depth and width as the nursery
pot. Add time released fertilizer into
the hole and mix with soil. Set the
cherry bush in the center of the hole and back fill the soil. Apply two inches of mulch around the
stem. This mulch will help in deterring weed
or grass growth. Water newly planted
bush so that soil is moist but not wet.
Notes:
Nanking cherries are self pollinating so if you have a
small yard you may grow one bush and harvest an average of 2-4 quarts of
cherries.
