The USDA Zones for Bush Cherries

Mongolian Cherry

• Mongolian cherry and dwarf bush cherry are two synonymous common names for Prunus fruticosa, a species of shrub native to temperate areas of Eurasia. It grows well under very cold conditions and will tolerate conditions up to minus 40 F, which corresponds to USDA Zone 2. The bright red fruit possesses a sweet-tart flavor that holds up well in baking and jam-making, although the individual fruits are somewhat smaller than other bush cherry species.

Nanking Cherry

• Nanking cherries, or Prunus tomentosa, originate in the mountains of eastern Asia, where they contend with frigid temperatures, strong wind and heavy snow. Although they are slightly less cold-tolerant than Mongolian cherry, they are hardy to USDA Zone 3 and will withstand temperatures to minus 30 F with minimal damage. The showy flowering habit of Nanking cherry makes it a common choice for ornamental plantings, but it also produces abundant red berries that are palatable to humans, birds and animals alike.

Western Sandcherry

• Like Nanking cherries, western sandcherries are hardy to USDA Zone 3 and will survive temperatures as low as minus 30 F for short periods of time. The species occurs naturally across much of western North America and is frequently used in native plant landscaping as an ornamental, fruit-bearing and erosion control shrub. Purple-leaf sandcherry and Hanson bush cherry are two strains of western sandcherry that were developed to enhance the ornamental traits and hardiness of the species, but both still require climatic conditions represented in USDA Zones 3 and above.

Chokecherry

• Chokecherry, or Prunus virginiana, occurs naturally across eastern North America and is widely cultivated throughout its native range as an ornamental and fruit-bearing crop. It is among the most cold-hardy of all bush cherries and will thrive despite heavy frosts below minus 40 F, as occur during the winter within USDA Zone 2. Although the flowers and summer foliage of chokecherry are not particularly showy, the color it provides in autumn appeals to many gardeners since it persists longer than the color of most trees and will add visual interest to otherwise dead gardens.

Hollyleaf Cherry

• Hollyleaf cherry is the common name for Prunus ilicifolia, an evergreen species of bush cherry native to the coastal region of Southern California. It is hardy to USDA Zone 9 and is among the least cold-tolerant of all bush cherries. However, what it lacks in cold hardiness it makes up with drought resistance. Gardeners across Southern California cultivate hollyleaf cherry in landscaping since it requires little water or care once established, as well as for the year-round visual interest it adds to gardens with its glossy, dark green leaves.