Shrub cherry «Umbraculifera»

Shrub cherry «Umbraculifera». Native to Southeastern Europe and Siberia. Lives 80–90 years.

It is a small, slow-growing tree with a dense, compact globose crown. It reaches 3–5 m in height and 1–3 m in width. It is usually grown grafted onto a standard and the height depends on the grafting height. The bark of young shoots is silvery-gray, later becoming reddish-brown, glossy.

Root system taproot; scaffold roots strong, vertical, develop moderately. At the age of 50–70 years the roots of the tree in loam-clay soil lie at a depth of 60 cm, in silty-clay – 100 cm, in sandy – 2.8 m.

Leaves small, ovate or obovate, 3.5 cm long, dark green, glossy. In autumn they change color to bronze-red or yellow-orange.

Blooms abundantly in April–May. Flowers small, up to 1 cm in diameter, white, arranged in umbels of 2–4 flowers.

Produces fruit rarely. The fruits are black-red drupes, up to 1 cm in diameter. In nature the fruits are eaten by birds and animals.

Hardiness zone: 5b (-28.8/-23.4°C) Flowers are susceptible to late frosts.

Site: Sun-loving but can tolerate partial shade. Flowers well on open, well-lit sites. Not demanding regarding soil, but grows well on nutrient-rich, deep, fresh, moderately moist clay soils, neutral or strongly alkaline, calcareous. Does not tolerate waterlogging. Performs poorly on poor sandy soils. Tolerates urban conditions well.

Pruning: sanitary pruning is recommended.

Diseases and pests: similar to those of the common cherry.

Propagation: propagated by grafting.

Uses: used for decorating avenues, walkways, and also in single and group plantings.