Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Prunus pumila
Source: Super cyclist
image of Deciduous Tree
Prunus pumila
Sand Cherry
Cerisier nain

Obsolete Names

dwarf cherry
cerisier de sable
ragouminier
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: White Bloom period: May - Jun
Max Height: 8.0 feet
Max Width: 4.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolerates dry soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
hedge Can be used as a hedge
Ecological Benefits: No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
causes skin rashes This plant causes skin rashes

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Prunus pumila
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Boreal Plains
  • Prairies
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Prunus pumila

  • Apatelodes torrefacta (Spotted Apatelodes)
  • Catocala ultronia (Ultronia Underwing)
  • Complexe Papilio glaucus (Eastern Tiger Swallowtail)
  • Eupithecia miserulata (American Common Pug)
  • Hyalophora cecropia (Cecropia moth)
  • Limenitis arthemis ssp. astyanax (Red Spotted Purple)
  • Lomographa semiclarata (Bluish Spring)
  • Malacosoma americanum (Eastern Tent Caterpillar)
  • Paonias excaecata (Blinded Sphinx)
  • Papilio canadensis (Canadian Tiger Swallowtail)
  • Satyrium titus (Coral Hairstreak)
  • Trichordestra legitima (Striped Garden Caterpillar)

Specialized Bees Supported by Prunus pumila

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

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 Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • 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 mean: Squeeze berries to extract seeds, wash with soapy water, rinse throroughly
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one 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.