Manchu Cherry

Prunus tomentosa (Rosaceae) is a deciduous shrub native to China, Japan, and Korea. It grows 6 to 8 feet tall with a dense, twiggy habit. Fragrant white to pink flowers appear in early spring on bare branches, followed by small, tart, edible cherries that ripen to bright red. The downy (tomentose) undersides of the leaves give the species its name.

Nanking cherry grows in full sun on well-drained soil and is one of the hardiest fruiting cherries, surviving to Zone 2. It tolerates drought, poor soils, and cold. The fruit makes good preserves and attracts birds. Brown rot can be a problem in humid conditions. Hardy in Zones 2a to 8b.