Western sand cherry
Prunus besseyi
Western sand cherry (Prunus besseyi) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 4–6 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. 'Pawnee Buttes' is a creeping form, uses as low groundcover. Dark purple fruit, brilliant red fall.
Colorado nativelow to medium water2–4 ft tall and 4–6 ft wideXeric / water-wisePlant Select®Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)Toxic to dogs
Photos
- Photo 1: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 2: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 3: Superior National Forest, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- sandy, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.5
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft tall and 4–6 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~6 ft apart (4 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early spring, mid spring
- Bloom color
- white
- Fall color
- Red, purple
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- shortgrass prairie, foothills
Things to know before you plant
- Seeds and pits toxic to dogsThe fruit flesh is safe, but the seeds, pits, and leaves carry trace cyanogen, so keep dogs from chewing them.
Common problems on the Front Range
- Borers (peachtree and lesser borer)
- Black knot (galls on twigs)
- Aphids and leaf curl
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer. 'Pawnee Buttes' is a Plant Select prostrate form, excellent groundcover at low height.
- Fruit: edible.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Western sand cherry good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Western sand cherry is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Western sand cherry?
- The main things to know: The fruit flesh is safe, but the seeds, pits, and leaves carry trace cyanogen, so keep dogs from chewing them.
- How big does Western sand cherry get?
- It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 4–6 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Western sand cherry?
- Space Western sand cherry about 6 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 4 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Western sand cherry hardy on the Front Range?
- Western sand cherry is hardy in USDA 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Western sand cherry need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Western sand cherry grow?
- Western sand cherry is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- What color does Western sand cherry turn in fall?
- Western sand cherry turns red and purple in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Western sand cherry safe for dogs?
- No. Western sand cherry is considered toxic to dogs. Keep pets away and check with your vet.
- Is Western sand cherry deer-resistant?
- No. Western sand cherry is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Western sand cherry a good firewise plant near the house?
- Western sand cherry is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Western sand cherry a Plant Select® winner?
- Yes. Western sand cherry is in Plant Select®, the plant-recommendation program run by Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens to highlight plants that thrive in the region.
- Is Western sand cherry prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Western sand cherry can be affected by borers (peachtree and lesser borer) and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
