Prunus virginiana var. demissa

Prunus virginiana demissa, Western Chokecherry forms a small tree or large shrub. Western Chokecherry does great at higher elevations in California, but grows in small numbers on north slopes everywhere from Coastal California to Lake Michigan. It likes part shade where there are hot summers, but will do ok in full sun. Give it some water. It is drought tolerant by most standards. Western Chokecherry has lots of pretty cream colored flowers in Spring. It has decent tasting edible cherries, best in jams. Birds love it so you may never see a ripe fruit. It has been easy and stable in the the nursery and our plantings. The fall color varies year to year from bright red to pale yellow. The red-brown twigs look good in the fall.