Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), offered by Akène
🌿 A rustic, nourishing tree, essential for biodiversity 🌿
The chokecherry is a shrub or small tree native to Quebec, reaching up to 6 meters in height . It is valued for its clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring , followed in summer by small red to black fruits , called "chestcherries" . Although tart and astringent , these fruits are a valuable food source for wildlife and can be made into jams, jellies and syrups .
🌱 Hardy and adaptable , this tree tolerates a wide variety of soils , thrives in both full sun and partial shade , and is resistant to harsh weather conditions . Its dense root system makes it an excellent choice for stabilizing river banks and restoring degraded environments .
Characteristics of the variety
📅 Flowering : May to June
📏 Height : 600 cm
🌱 Spacing : 400 cm
☀️ Exposure : Sun, partial shade
🌿 Life cycle : Perennial
🌾 Soil type : Loamy to clayey, well drained
💧 Soil moisture content : Dry to medium
🦌 Deer Resistance : Low
📦 Seeds per packet : 25
Sowing and cultivation
📏 Sowing depth : 15 mm
🌡 Germination time : 30 to 60 days
❄️ Cold stratification : 90 to 120 days
⚡ Scarification : Soaking before stratification
🔹 Indoor method (recommended for efficient germination) :
1️⃣ Soak the seeds in room temperature water for 24 hours .
2️⃣ Mix them with a moist substrate (sand and vermiculite) and place them in an airtight bag in the refrigerator for 90 to 120 days .
3️⃣ After stratification, sow the seeds 1 to 2 cm deep in well-drained potting soil.
4️⃣ Maintain constant humidity until germination, which can take several months .
🔹 Outdoor method :
🌿 Sow directly in the fall for natural stratification during the winter.
💧 Ensure moist soil until seedlings are established .
🌱 The chokecherry tree can propagate by suckers , forming dense colonies . To limit its expansion, it is recommended to regularly prune the suckers .
⚠️ Be careful when consuming fruits
🔸 Chokecherry kernels contain hydrocyanic acid , a toxic substance in large quantities .
🔸 Only fruits are edible after cooking or processing.
🔸 Avoid consuming the pits and leaves .
🥣 Recipe: Virginia Cherry Jelly
🌿 Ingredients :
- 1 kg of Virginia cherries (very ripe)
- 750 ml of water
- 500 g sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
🔥 Preparation :
1️⃣ Simmer the cherries with the water for 20 minutes , then filter to collect the juice.
2️⃣ Add the sugar and lemon juice to the filtered liquid.
3️⃣ Heat over medium heat until it reaches 105°C (or until the jelly sets).
4️⃣ Pour into sterilized jars and store in the refrigerator.
🍽 Perfect on toast, with cheese or as a topping for desserts!
Ecological roles and utilities
🐝 An asset for pollinators : Its nectar-rich spring flowers attract bees and butterflies .
🐦 A food resource for wildlife : Its fruits are prized by more than 70 species of birds and several small mammals.
🦋 A host plant for some butterflies , including the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis) .
🌾 A soil stabilizer : Useful for disturbed environments, banks and windbreak hedges .
Companion plants
🌿 Saskatoon berry, elderberry, red oak, white spruce
Enemy plants
🌿 None known
Why grow chokecherry?
🌸 A native tree with spectacular flowering
🐦 A valuable food source for wildlife
🍒 Edible and flavorful wild fruits
🌾 A resilient tree, ideal for ecological restoration
🌿 Add the chokecherry tree to your garden for a natural and living landscape!
