Nanking cherry
Prunus tomentosa
Also called Downy cherry, Manchu cherry and Korean cherry
Garden plant · Herbs, veg & fruitA cherry that is a BUSH, crops in its third year and takes −40°C — which makes it the easiest cherry there is. Two plants set far more fruit than one. The stones, leaves and bark are cyanogenic, like every cherry.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 9 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Full sun
- Feed
- Every 45 days
- Humidity
- Low
- Hardiness
- Very hardy RHS H7, to -25°C
- Size
- 2.5 m tall · 2.5 m across
- Lifecycle
- Shrub
- Origin
- Northern China and the Himalaya
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses. Signs: dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, bright red gums and shock.
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-22.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
First signs of trouble
- Plenty of blossom and a handful of fruit. It sets far better with a second, different plant nearby — two seedlings are usually enough.Light crop from one plant · disorder
- A silvery sheen on the leaves of one branch, and a brown stain in the wood when that branch is cut across. Prune cherries in SUMMER, never in winter, which is when the spores are about.Silver leaf · disease