Toxic Plant Connu comme étant toxique - Toxic to mammals if ingested. Leaves, stems, and pits contain cyanogenic compounds that are poisonous if chewed or eaten.
Image of Prunus pumila
Source: Super cyclist

Plant Names

image of Arbre feuillu
Prunus pumila
Sand Cherry
Cerisier nain

Synonyms

dwarf cherry
cerisier de sable
ragouminier

Plant Characteristics

Couleur de floraison: Blanc Bloom Period: May - Jun
Hauteur max: 8,0 feet
Max Width: 4,0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun Plus de 6 heures d'ensoleillement par jour
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolère des conditions de sol sec
Lifespan: Vivace des plantes qui reviennent année après année
Gardener Experience:
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
hedge Can be used as a hedge
Ecological Benefits:
butterfly host Butterfly host
keystones species Keystone species
Tolerates:
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
causes skin rashes This plant causes skin rashes

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante

Faits intéressants

Sand Cherry has fragrant white spring flowers followed by small purple-black cherries. It thrives in full sun and dry, sandy, or rocky soils, making it ideal for dunes, slopes, and dry native gardens. It is very drought tolerant.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Oui

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Prunus pumila
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Maritime de l'Atlantique
  • Plaines boréales
  • Prairies
  • Plaines à forêts mixtes

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Prunus pumila

Specialized Bees Supported by Prunus pumila

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Rhamnus cathartica (Common Buckthorn)
  • Rhamnus frangula (Glossy Buckthorn)
  • Acer japonicum (Japanese Maple)
  • Acer platanoides (Norway Maple)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Couvrir très légèrement
  • Sow by November
  • Stratification duration: 180 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Warm stratify 60d, then cold moist stratify 120d

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: July
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Berries are ripen and easily fall off or have fallen off
  • Harvesting:
    • Squeeze berries to extract seeds, wash with soapy water, rinse throroughly
  • Seed viability test:
    • Pas de test requis avant le don
  • Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
  • Seed storage:
    • Sécher à l'air dans un sac en papier ou contenant ouvert, pour quelques jours jusqu'à sec
    • Secouer de temps à autre pour prévenir la moisissure
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Toxic to mammals if ingested. Leaves, stems, and pits contain cyanogenic compounds that are poisonous if chewed or eaten.