Nanking Cherry (Prunus Tomentosa) | Full Grower’s Guide
The Nanking Cherry (or Bush Cherry, as it’s sometimes known) is still something of a hidden gem here in the UK. You’re unlikely to spot one tucked between the roses and rhododendrons at your local garden centre, and that’s a real shame.
Because, if you ask us, the Nanking Cherry is a cracking little shrub that deserves way more love. Hardy, productive, ornamental, and just that little bit unusual – it’s a solid choice for anyone wanting to grow more of their own fruit.
So, in celebration of this criminally underrated fruit bush, let’s take a proper look at what makes it special. We’ll cover its history, uses, growing habits, care tips, and more.
What is a Nanking Cherry?
Origin
Native to Central Asia, Nanking Cherries (Prunus tomentosa) were introduced to both the UK and the US in the late 1800s. Back in their homeland, they’ve been cultivated for centuries as a reliable food source, although they’ve never really caught on commercially in the West.
That’s largely due to their short shelf life and tendency to bruise easily – not ideal for long-haul transport or supermarket displays. But for us home growers? Perfect.
Durability
One of the biggest reasons for the Nanking Cherry’s slow but steady global spread is its sheer hardiness. It can handle drought, excessive rainfall, poor soils, cold winters, and partial shade. Tough as old boots, in other words.
Size
Left to its own devices, a Nanking Cherry bush will top out at around 2–3 metres tall and 2 metres wide. Regular pruning keeps it smaller and more manageable, while still producing hefty crops of fruit.
Fruits
The fruits are about the size of a large blueberry and ripen to a rich scarlet red. While the flavour varies between plants (thanks to most UK stock being seed-grown), they generally offer a pleasant balance of sweetness and astringency – tart enough to be interesting, but not too sharp.
They ripen in late summer to early autumn and will stay fresh on the bush for a couple of weeks. Birds love them, so netting is highly recommended if you want to enjoy any yourself.
Handle them gently during harvest, as they bruise easily. That same tenderness is a big part of why they never went mainstream.
Nutrition
Nanking Cherries are small but mighty, packing in antioxidants, calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C.
Aesthetics
Aside from their fruiting prowess, Nanking Cherries are genuinely beautiful shrubs. In early spring they explode into a cloud of bright white flowers, each emerging from a pink bud. They attract all manner of pollinators and look pretty damn good doing it.
What Can You Do With Nanking Cherries?
They might be a bit too tart for everyone to snack on raw (we love them fresh, for what it’s worth), but they absolutely shine once processed.
Jam, jelly, wine, pies, sauces – anything you can do with sour cherries, you can probably do with a Nanking Cherry.
Just a heads-up: the seeds are relatively large, and removing them can be a bit of a faff if you’re dealing with a big harvest. Your best bet is to cook or mash the fruit in batches, then strain out the juice and separate the seeds before making whatever delicious thing you’ve got planned.
How to Propagate Nanking Cherry
Seed or Cutting?
Most Nanking Cherries in the UK and US are grown from seed, which means a lot of variation between individual plants. Some are sweeter, some more vigorous, some just... better. It’s pot luck, really.
Seed propagation is simple enough, but you’ll need to cold stratify the seeds for 3 months – either outdoors in autumn, or using the fridge method.
If you already know a bush you like, rooted cuttings are the way to go. Both hardwood and softwood cuttings can work, though they don’t develop quite as robust a root system as seed-grown plants.
Planting and Caring for Nanking Cherry
They might be tough, but that doesn’t mean you should plonk your Nanking Cherry in a weedy corner and forget about it. A bit of care goes a long way, especially in the early years.
Positioning
Full sun to partial shade is ideal. They prefer rich, well-drained soil, but will tolerate far worse. To give your cherry a boost:
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Mulch yearly with rich organic matter to feed the plant and suppress weeds.
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Use mycorrhizal fungi when planting to boost root development.
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Consider companion plants to improve biodiversity and reduce pest issues.
Pests and Diseases
Good news – Nanking Cherries aren’t particularly prone to anything nasty. That said, birds are definitely a pest when the fruit ripens, so netting is a smart move.
Pruning
Wait until after flowering to prune. Like all Prunus species, avoid heavy pruning in summer. Major cuts are best done in late autumn or winter when the plant is dormant.
Suitability
Perfect as a productive ornamental shrub, or integrated into a hedge or windbreak. Their vigour and resilience make them a great fit for permaculture and forest garden setups too.
Life Expectancy
In ideal conditions, Nanking Cherry bushes can live up to 50 years, though 20–25 is more typical. Some gardeners report much shorter lifespans, and the reasons aren’t yet fully understood. More research is definitely needed.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it – the full lowdown on one of our favourite lesser-known fruiting shrubs. Tough, productive, beautiful, and surprisingly versatile, the Nanking Cherry deserves a spot in more UK gardens.
Give one a try. You might just fall in love.
Got questions or your own Nanking Cherry experience to share? Drop a comment – we’d love to hear from you!