Nanking cherry
Prunus tomentosa
Botanical family: Rosaceae
Prunus tomentosa, a small shrubby cherry about 1.5 m tall ('Nanking cherry'), from East Asia, from northern and western China to the Himalayas. It flowers from March-April and gives small juicy cherries, sharp to sweet, in July. Source: Plants For A Future, “Prunus tomentosa”.
Full sun
Well-drained, tolerates poor, sandy soils and chalk
Low once established, drought-resistant
Very hardy (~-30 °C and beyond)
Overwinters in your zone
Better fruiting with two individuals (cross-pollination)
Better crops with several plants or two varieties
Role in permaculture
A small shrubby cherry (1.5 to 2.5 m) of great hardiness, with a very early and abundant pinkish-white flowering, precious for bees coming out of winter. It gives small tart cherries and lends itself to the fruiting hedge as to small gardens. Frugal, resistant to cold as to drought: a resilience fruit tree.
Good companions
Trap plants (variable effect, need watching)
Aromatic: scent said to confuse pests
Seasons & availability
Small sharp cherries picked in early summer, in June and July.
Available: June, July.
Guidance for the oceanic / temperate climate; it may vary with your region, altitude, exposure and growing method.
Sources
- Plants For A Future, « Prunus tomentosa » (pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Prunus+tomentosa)
- Jardiner Malin, « Le ragouminier, aussi appelé le cerisier de Nankin » (jardiner-malin.fr/fiche/ragouminier.html)
Nutritional & medicinal properties
For educational purposes. Not a substitute for medical advice. Effects depend on the form, the dose and personal context.
Precautions & contraindications
As for all cherries, do not crunch the stone (bitter kernel containing amygdalin, cyanogenic).
Family behaviour: Rosaceae
In general, Rosaceae are traditionally paired with garlic (reputed antifungal, an in-vitro effect against Venturia inaequalis but little demonstrated in the field), tansy and comfrey. This is the fruit family (strawberry, raspberry, apple, pear, cherry, plum, peach). Tansy is the emblematic companion of the apple tree guild.
Understanding families means learning one rule per family rather than every pairing one by one. Learn more →
Species & varieties
The best-known species and varieties in France.
Common varieties
Key takeaways
- • Prefers full sun exposure.
- • Ideal soil: well-drained, tolerates poor, sandy soils and chalk.
- • Classic companion: Comfrey.