Nanking Cherry
The hardiest cherry of all cultivated varieties, withstanding –40°C without damage
The Nanking Cherry is one of the forgotten treasures of South Asian flora, gradually capturing the hearts of European gardeners. This modest fruit-bearing plant originates from China and Japan, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years. In our region, it remains an exotic rarity, yet it thoroughly deserves far wider cultivation, especially in Ukrainian gardens, where its remarkable frost hardiness makes it an invaluable find.
The Nanking Cherry impresses with its refined elegance: a shrub reaching up to three metres tall is clothed in April and May with delicate white and pink blossoms that open before the foliage appears. Following the flowering period, small but deliciously flavoured berries emerge on the branches—brilliant red, round fruits no larger than a pea. Unlike its larger relatives, this cherry produces a harvest annually without interruption, making it a reliable companion in the garden. Some cultivars are propagated by European nurseries, whilst the wild form demonstrates equally impressive productivity.
In garden settings, the Nanking Cherry serves both functional and ornamental purposes. It requires minimal care, thriving even without fertilisation, tolerating harsh conditions and extreme temperature fluctuations. Planted in a sunny spot near a fence or at the garden's edge, it yields fresh berries for jams and compotes whilst also serving as a living screen. The shrub combines beautifully with common cherry, hawthorn, and chokeberry, enriching the garden's fruit composition.
This is why you should consider growing this plant: it is the most cold-hardy of all cultivated cherries, withstanding temperatures of minus forty degrees Celsius without damage. If you seek a modest, undemanding plant that will not burden you with diseases and pests, yet rewards you with spring beauty and summer harvest—the Nanking Cherry is precisely what you need.
Nanking Cherry — planting & location
Abundant flowering before leaf emergence; small red berries
How to water Nanking Cherry
Moderate watering
Fertilizing and pruning: Nanking Cherry
Remove old branches and suckers