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-wiseToxic to dogs
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Prunus besseyi
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Pawnee Buttes'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft tall and 4–6 ft wide
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- full sun
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- sandy, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.5
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom time
- early spring, mid spring
- Pollinator value
- high
- Good for
- slope
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer. 'Pawnee Buttes' is a Plant Select prostrate form — excellent groundcover at low height.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Western sand cherry good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Western sand cherry is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a shrub suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Western sand cherry get?
- It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 4–6 ft wide.
- How much water does Western sand cherry need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Western sand cherry safe for dogs?
- No — Western sand cherry is considered toxic to dogs. Keep pets away and check with your vet.
