Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)

Size: 20-30′ tall/ 20-25′ spread

Flowering: mid-may

Fruiting: Late August

Birds: fall migrants, especially robin, catbird, sparrows, thrasher, thrushes, warblers

This native Chokecherry is usually found in landscapes in the form of one of its cultivars. It is a cold hardy tree with clusters of white flowers in the spring. The fruit are red at first, but turn black with maturity, and are desired by 70 different species of American birds. Foliage of the ‘Schubert’ (‘Canada Red’) cultivar can be striking as it emerges green but turns purple with age. The fall color is orange and red.

Be cautious of the ‘Melanocarpa’ – variety. Though considered a dwarf form, some companies list this as a zone 5 plant.