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Bitter Cherry

Prunus emarginata

tree View on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun, part shade

Water

very low

Soil

Medium, Slow; Tolerates clay but does best in moist loamy soil.

Size

3–80ft tall

Bloom

Mar-May

Foliage

Deciduous

Flowers

Prized

Keystone Plant

Supports up to 262 butterfly and moth species in Mediterranean California

Native Range

Mixed conifer and oak forests of the northern Sierra Nevada, Cascade Range, and northwestern California from 2000-7000 ft elevation, extending to Oregon and Washington.

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your Bitter Cherry in full sun with well-draining soil - it tolerates clay but truly thrives in moist loamy soil with medium to slow drainage. Space it where it has room to grow into a small tree (3–80 feet depending on variety), and plant in fall or early spring during the dormant season. Avoid compacted or waterlogged sites, since even a drought-tolerant native needs decent drainage to establish.

After Planting

Water weekly during your first summer to establish roots, then taper off as the plant matures - Bitter Cherry is very low water once established and actually prefers dry conditions, so overwatering is the #1 mistake Bay Area gardeners make with this one. Expect the plant to drop its leaves in winter (it's deciduous), and prune only to shape it during dormancy if needed. Year one is about getting roots down; don't expect major growth until year two.

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