Schubert Chokecherry Tree

Boost your garden wildlife with the dramatic Schubert Chokecherry Tree (Prunus virginiana 'Schubert'), a hardy deciduous tree with a flair for color and wildlife appeal. Each spring, it bursts into clusters of fragrant white flowers, followed by small purple-black cherries that birds can't resist. Its foliage emerges green, then matures into deep wine-purple, creating a bold color contrast that lasts through summer. With a lifespan of up to 40 years, this is a tree that truly makes its mark!

The Schubert Chokecherry isn't just ornamental - it's practical too! The upright, rounded crown gives it a strong presence in the landscape, while its fruits can be used in jellies and wines if you can harvest before the birds. In autumn, foliage shifts to reddish-bronze hues. Its fast growth habit and adaptability make it a top pick for Northern gardens.

Native across much of North America, this member of the Rose family (Rosaceae) has been treasured for centuries. Historically, Chokecherries were used by Indigenous peoples for food and medicine, and they remain a staple for wildlife gardeners. Relatives include other fruiting trees like Plums, Cherries, and even Apples, making it a natural fit in an edible landscape or ornamental garden.

Key Features

This fast-growing beauty thrives in USDA planting zones 2 to 7, reaching 20-30 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide.

• Deciduous tree with a 40-year lifespan
• Green foliage turns rich purple in summer
• White fragrant spring flowers
• Purple-black edible cherries loved by birds
• Grows 20-30 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide

Landscaping Uses

The Schubert Chokecherry Tree makes a bold statement in the garden with its unique purple foliage and wildlife benefits.

• Small shade tree for yards or patios
• Great as a specimen or focal point tree
• Wildlife-friendly planting for birds and pollinators
• Edible landscape use for jellies and wine
• Attractive screen or windbreak when planted in groupings

Care & Maintenance

The Schubert Chokecherry thrives in USDA zones 2 to 7. This deciduous tree is both ornamental and practical, providing fragrance, food, and shade. It's a tough, cold-hardy tree that adapts well to many soils.

• Planting Time: Best in spring or fall
• Sun Requirements: Full sun for richest foliage color
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, loamy soil but tolerates clay and sandy soils
• Moisture Needs: Moderate - use the Finger Test and water regularly the first year
• Arborist Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch deep layer of bark mulch like this around the base
• Fertilization Needs: Balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring; compost is beneficial
• Pruning Info: Prune in late winter to maintain shape and remove suckers - flowers bloom on new wood
• Special Perks: Cold-hardy, fast-growing, tolerant of urban pollution, attracts pollinators and birds, and deer-resistant

Don't forget to order your Nature Hills Root Booster for lifelong mycorrhizal root support

A Chokecherry Worth Cheering For

With its purple summer leaves, fragrant flowers, and wildlife-friendly fruit, the Schubert Chokecherry Tree brings multi-season drama and long-lasting value. Add one to your landscape and enjoy decades of color, fragrance, and feathered visitors. Order your Schubert Chokecherry Tree today from Nature Hills and let it grow into a bold highlight of your garden!