Prunus tomentosa - Nanking Cherry

The Prunus tomentosa,  better known as Ragouminier, Ragoumier or Nanking cherry, is a self-pollinating small fruit bush, of ornamental value. On its branches covered in bristles, numerous small white flowers tinged with pink bloom in spring, before the appearance of the leaves. The small bright red fruits gather in small clusters, ripening in the heart of summer. These small cherries, which make excellent jams, reveal an original and sweet flavour. A further asset of this bush is its beautiful golden autumn foliage. With rapid growth, the Ragoumier is a sturdy plant, tolerating occasional drought, but also intense cold. It can be planted in a free or fruit hedge, but also in an orchard, or even in a large pot on the terrace.

The Prunus tomentosa, from the large rose family, is known in various regions as the Canadian cherry, dwarf Canadian cherry, Canadian minel, Manchurian cherry or even Nanking cherry, named after the eponymous Chinese city. It originates from northern and western China, Mongolia, Korea, Tibet and northern India. This fast-growing bush matures in 5 years, developing a very short trunk covered with a glabrous and coppery black bark, topped with a bushy, slightly spread out crown, with a regular habit. At maturity, this small cherry tree will reach on average 1.75 m (5 ft 8 in) in all directions, sometimes more, depending on growing conditions. The hairy branches covered are one of the distinctive characteristics of this species. Before the appearance of the young leaves, a profusion of small flowers bloom in small clusters. They are single, with 5 white petals, pink in the centre, nectar-bearing, 1.5 cm (0.6 in) in diameter. The flowering is followed by the formation of small petiole-free, fleshy, and vibrant red cherries. At ripeness in summer, the fruits are edible, slightly sweet in taste but a little tart. They can be eaten fresh or used in the preparation of jellies, jams, pastries... The foliage is deciduous, the leaves are alternate, measuring 2 to 7 cm (0.8 to 2.8 in) in length, ovate, bordered with irregular indentations. The lamina is rough, covered in hair and dark green on top, lighter and tomentose underneath. The foliage turns a beautiful yellow in autumn.

This small tree is easy to grow and is only averse to very clayey and compact, calcareous, and excessively dry soil. It will naturally find its place in a free, flowering, rustic or fruit hedge. It will be comfortable in most of regions. For example, in a hedge or massif, it can be combined with other bushes with spring flowering, simultaneous or staggered such as the ornamental apple trees, flowering peaches, Prunus mahaleb, quinces, medlars, dogwoods, May berries, Chinese almond tree, hawthorns...It can also be grown in a large pot, but will then require regular watering and fertilisation to flower and fruit well.