Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm Mountain time
Western Sand Cherry vs Crimson Passion Cherry
Prunus pumila var besseyi
Prunus x kerrasis Crimson Passion
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.
Crimson Passion Cherry is a cold-hardy dwarf sour cherry. It produces deep, dark burgundy fruit that are larger and sweeter than other varieties, with a texture that is similar to sweet cherries. They are one of the top varieties for fresh eating but are also well-suited to baking and preserves. In the spring, beautiful white flowers cover the branches, adding ornamental value.
Crimson Passion Cherry was developed at the University of Saskatchewan. It is recommended to grow dwarf sour cherries as a shrub rather than a small tree. The shrub form tends to bear fruit earlier and is less susceptible to winterkill.
Sour cherries are self-fertile; however, planting with additional varieties for cross-pollination can increase yields.