Western Sand Cherry vs Russian Almond
Prunus pumila var besseyi
Prunus tenella
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
Western Sand Cherry is known for its unique, leathery grey-green foliage and beautiful white blossoms. It is a popular ornamental shrub in parks and front yards. Both you and the wildlife will love its edible small dark red to purple cherries.
Due to its small stature and spreading qualities, Western Sandcherry is suitable as an underplanting or groundcover.
Many people graft plum and cherry varieties to Western Sand Cherry and use it as rootstock. It is also popular to graft hardy apricots to.
Russian Almond is a low maintenance, short, slightly suckering shrub. It is covered with attractive, bright pink flowers in early spring before its foliage emerges.
This hardy species forms dense thickets attracts wildlife. Russian Almond prefers full sun and well-drained soils, but can tolerate moist soils.
The nuts it produces are quite attractive but very small. They are bitter and possibly toxic in large quantities.
Check out our YouTube channel video of the Russian Almond here.