Pin Cherry: A Fast-Growing Native for Wildlife-Friendly Gardens
If you’re looking for a native plant that grows quickly, feeds wildlife, and adds seasonal interest to your landscape, pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica var. pensylvanica) might be exactly what you need. This hardy North American native is often overlooked in favor of showier ornamental trees, but it deserves serious consideration for naturalistic gardens and wildlife habitats.
What Is Pin Cherry?
Pin cherry is a perennial shrub that typically grows as a multi-stemmed woody plant, usually reaching heights of 13 to 16 feet, though it can grow taller under ideal conditions. Also known by its synonym Cerasus pensylvanica, this member of the rose family is a true native success story.
Where Pin Cherry Grows Naturally
This adaptable native has one of the most impressive natural ranges of any North American shrub. Pin cherry is native to Canada, the lower 48 states, and even St. Pierre and Miquelon. You’ll find it thriving from coast to coast, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Labrador, and Newfoundland. In the United States, it grows in Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Why Choose Pin Cherry for Your Garden?
Pin cherry offers several compelling reasons to earn a spot in your landscape:
- Lightning-fast growth: As a pioneer species, pin cherry establishes quickly and grows rapidly, making it perfect for new gardens or areas that need quick coverage
- Four-season interest: Delicate white flowers appear in spring, bright red cherries ripen in summer, and the foliage turns brilliant orange-red in fall
- Wildlife magnet: The flowers attract pollinators including bees and butterflies, while the cherries feed countless bird species
- Hardy and adaptable: Thriving in USDA zones 2-6, this tough native handles cold winters and varying soil conditions
- Low maintenance: Once established, pin cherry requires minimal care and is quite drought tolerant
Best Uses in the Landscape
Pin cherry works beautifully in naturalistic settings rather than formal landscapes. Consider it for:
- Woodland and native plant gardens
- Wildlife habitat areas
- Restoration projects
- Informal hedgerows or screens
- Slopes that need erosion control
Because of its suckering habit and informal growth pattern, pin cherry is best suited for casual garden settings where it has room to spread naturally.
Growing Conditions and Care
One of pin cherry’s greatest assets is its adaptability. This resilient native performs well in:
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained soils of various types
- Water: Moderate moisture when young, drought tolerant once established
- Climate: Hardy in USDA zones 2-6
Planting and Care Tips
Getting pin cherry established is refreshingly straightforward:
- Plant in spring or fall when temperatures are moderate
- Water regularly the first year to help establish strong roots
- Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Minimal pruning needed – remove dead or damaged branches as necessary
- Be aware that pin cherry may produce suckers, which can be removed if desired or left to form a natural colony
Is Pin Cherry Right for Your Garden?
Pin cherry is an excellent choice if you want a fast-growing native that supports local wildlife while requiring minimal maintenance. It’s particularly valuable for gardeners in northern climates who struggle to find hardy native options. However, if you prefer formal, highly manicured landscapes or have very limited space, pin cherry’s informal growth habit and potential for suckering might not be the best fit.
For wildlife enthusiasts and native plant gardeners, pin cherry offers the perfect combination of beauty, ecological value, and adaptability. It’s a testament to the fact that sometimes the most valuable garden plants are the ones that have been quietly thriving in our local ecosystems all along.
