Western Chokecherry vs Pembina Plum - TreeTime.ca

Western Chokecherry vs Pembina Plum

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

Prunus nigra x salicina Pembina

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Western Chokecherry
Pembina Plum

Western Chokecherry is a shrub or small tree commonly used for farmstead and field windbreaks.

It produces white flowers in the spring and edible dark purple fruit that matures between September and October. Its cherries are great for making for making jams, jellies or wine, but are not very palatable for raw eating.

Pembina Plum is one of the best-tasting plums that can be planted on the prairies. It is semi-freestone with orange flesh that is soft, juicy, and sweet which contrasts with the thick, sour, dark red skin. The plums can grow up to 5 cm in diameter and are well-suited for fresh eating, baking, and preserves.

They typically ripen in mid to late August and should be picked as soon as they are ripe. If left too long, the fruit will fall off the tree.

Pembina Plum is a hybrid between Canada Plum and Japanese Plum. For fruit production, it needs to be planted with another variety for cross-pollination. Canada Plum and American Plum are considered universal pollinizers.

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Pembina Plum Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2b
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Height: 4 m (14 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)

Fall colour: reddish-purple
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Flowers: white
Fruit: purple-red skin with yellow flesh
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: yes
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry