Sucker Punch® Chokecherry

The Sucker Punch® Chokecherry (Prunus x virginiana ‘P002S’ PP25,767) is a small- to medium-sized flowering ornamental tree. It has a nice form with a rounded canopy and ascending branches. Its foliage emerges in the spring as green at first and is followed by a profusion of small, fragrant, white flowers that appear in clusters. Around late spring after the flowers bloom, the leaves develop into a deep purple-red for the summer before becoming a brighter red in the fall. In late July to August, small edible blue-black fruits cover the branches and attract different species of birds.

The Sucker Punch® Chokecherry was developed and introduced by Fort Collins Wholesale Nursery in Colorado. This cultivar is very similar to the ‘Canada Red’ variety except it does not sucker, meaning it is much more low maintenance because it does not require pruning (unless for aesthetic reasons). It is a great specimen tree for the landscape due to its flower bloom and beautiful summer and fall leaf color. The fruit should not be freshly eaten but can be used for jams and jellies or other preserves. It does best in full sun and is very tolerant of most soil conditions including drought.