Prunus virginianaIndiana Native
Common Chokecherry

 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
White (3-6" long racemes of small, white, fragrant flowers; April-May)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (Summer foliage is dark green above and grayish below); Gold (Golden yellow to orange leaves in the fall)
 Stem Notes:
Purple or Red
 Fruit Notes:
Purple (Small, blackish-purple cherries (berries) in August; very attractive to birds)
 Ultimate Height:
20-30 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
18-25 feet
 Bloom Times:
 Soil Water Requirements:
 Soil Notes:
Well-drained, dry to medium soil
 Range:
Eastern North America
 Maintenance:
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves (1.5-5" long by 1-3.5" wide) are simple, alternate, elliptic to obovate with finely toothed margins and an abrupt point.

Additional Information

The Common Chokecherry can be a suckering small tree or large shrub that produces fragrant white racemes followed by small, purple-black cherries. These fruits can be used for pies, jellies, and jams (do not eat fresh). Suckers must be immediately removed to control growth.

2 Prunus virginiana found

Building Map...

Loading...
= Heritage plant = Memorial plant
Number Accession ID Location
12023_00575*AHORTPARK
22023_00575*BHORTPARK

Other plants like this Prunus virginiana (Common Chokecherry)

The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Physical Facilities Grounds Department

Purdue Arboretum, 625 Agriculture Mall Dr, West Lafayette, IN, 47907
© 2025 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Integrity Statement | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by the Purdue Arboretum
Contact Purdue Arboretum at arboretum@purdue.edu for accessibility issues with this page | Accessibility Resources | Contact Us