“Sprinter” interest: Amur chokecherry.

I’ve admired the beautiful bronze bark of this Amur chokecherry (Prunus maackii) since I discovered it and three companions a couple months ago on a site near my workplace. I will be even more impressed once the trees start blooming….

I only have to wait for a couple more weeks, right? 😉 I had to laugh when I heard the season humorously referred to as “Sprinter” – that seems so perfectly apt! More snow expected here this weekend….

Do you grow chokecherries or any other Prunus species? Which ones are your favourites?

Posted by:

Sheryl @ Flowery Prose

Sheryl Normandeau is a writer and gardening enthusiast living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in the foothills of the spectacular Rocky Mountains.

18 responses to ““Sprinter” interest: Amur chokecherry.”

Boomdeeadda

April 18, 2013

I heard that forecast and refused to acknowledge it. I’m mean, it’s verging on the ridiculous now. I’ve never been lucky enough to plant a flowing tree. Our front your faced an open lake with harsh winter wind and the back was too small for a large tree. I did however have several lilacs (white and mauve) and I think they’re so hardy for our climate.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 22, 2013
  
  Lilacs are definitely fabulous! There is a hedge of lilacs a block away from our apartment and they are simply stunning when they’re all in bloom.
  
  You must be getting so excited for your trip south! 🙂
  
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  1. Boomdeeadda
    
    April 22, 2013
    
    I’d be over at their hedge with the snippers (after ok’ing it of course). Yes, thanks we’re more than ready, I’m sure all the spring trees there will be stunning. 😀
    
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Holleygarden

April 18, 2013

“Sprinter” does seem much more accurate this year! Pretty bark! Hope it flowers for you soon!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 22, 2013
  
  I hope it blooms soon, as well – but I think it will be a while yet. None of the trees here are even leafing out yet, it’s just incredible how late things are this year.
  
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gardeninacity

April 18, 2013

We’re drowning in rain this week. Could be worse, I guess. That tree does have beautiful bark.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 22, 2013
  
  Oh, my goodness, I saw your posts – that’s way too much rain! How awful! Hopefully things are drying out for you now!
  
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Kasha

April 18, 2013

Yes, we have an ornamental Choke Cherry tree that we just planted last year, so we will maybe have to wait a little while for it to look “mature” but we are hoping for the best with it. You never know how they will stay over the winter, but hopefully not too bad.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 22, 2013
  
  Chokecherries are pretty tough, so yours will probably be okay! What type did you get – is it a ‘Schubert’? I rather like them; when the landlord took the poplar trees out of our yard, they replaced them with ‘Schuberts’ and they are quite lovely. I hope your chokecherry does well for you!
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker

April 18, 2013

It took for ever for the rain to stop and the temperatures to get to the 60s. The garden seems to love it, but it has been frustrating.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 22, 2013
  
  It’s definitely difficult to get out and do any work when it’s raining incessantly! Hopefully now you’ll have a long stretch of warmth and the garden will grow like crazy!
  
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Jo Ann

April 19, 2013

I looked at pictures I took of a redbud tree last winter on March 24. The picture I took this year of the tree at the same stage was taken 4/15 – spring here was a full three weeks later than last year. We have Virginia Chokecherry trees here that are native to our area.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 22, 2013
  
  It seems that spring is very late everywhere! I sure hope the weather will stabilize soon, and all the flowers will emerge….
  
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Donna@Gardens Eye View

April 20, 2013

It seems like sprinter here with 76 one day and 46 the next….

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 22, 2013
  
  I hope it will settle down for you soon! It’s getting awfully tiring! I was away over the weekend and the weather seems to have improved somewhat here…although I’m sure it will change again in a few minutes! 😉
  
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Bella Remy Photography

April 22, 2013

This is a really intriguing tree. Nope, don’t have a chokeberry.

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Sincerely, Emily

April 23, 2013

No chokecherries for me. The color of that bark is beautiful.

Sprinter – yikes. Definitely a snowy spring for you all.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 24, 2013
  
  It has been really crazy here…we had a blizzard again yesterday afternoon. I’m itching to get out in the garden!
  
  Reply