Black Cherry vs Blue Boy Clematis - TreeTime.ca

Black Cherry vs Blue Boy Clematis

Prunus serotina

Clematis integrifolia Blue Boy

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Black Cherry
Blue Boy Clematis

Black Cherry is common in eastern North America but a rare find elsewhere. This tree is shade tolerant and is often found in old fields, forest openings, and along fencerows.

The fruit is edible and is commonly used to flavor rum and brandy. It is also edible and often eaten fresh or used in wine or jelly. Black Cherry trees typically begin producing fruit when they are 10 years of age.

Black Cherry wood is a rich reddish-brown color and is strong, making it valued in cabinetry and woodworking. It is often used in reclamation as well.

The leaves can poison livestock as they contain cyanide derivatives and precursors. However, many have noted that deer still seem to browse their trees with impunity and birds and other animals eat the fruit when available.

Blue Boy Clematis is a cold-hardy, fast growing, woody climbing vine. Hundreds of stunning steel-blue bell shaped flowers adorn the vine throughout the summer that droop and appear to hang in the air. The fibrous stems spread and create a fan-like symmetry shape.

This species will do best with support from a trellis, fence, or even other shrubs or tree stumps.

The Blue Boy Clematis was developed in Manitoba, Canada in 1947 by famous breeder Frank L. Skinner by crossing C. integrifolia x C. viticella, but it didn’t gain popularity until the 1990’s.

Black Cherry Quick Facts

Blue Boy Clematis Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2b
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: bark and wilted leaves toxic to livestock

Foliage: long, glossy leaves
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Flowers: white
Flowers: steel blue
Fruit: dark red
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: yes
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB
Other Names: mountain black cherry, wild cherry, wild rum cherry