PAWNEE BUTTES® Sand Cherry
Prunus besseyi 'P011S'



PAWNEE BUTTES® sand cherry is a graceful, ground covering form of our native sand cherry shrub. Fragrant, white flowers attract pollinators in April. By summer, this low-growing shrub produces heavy crops of black cherries that are attractive to birds and other wildlife. The lustrous, green leaves turn bright red and purple in the fall.
PAWNEE BUTTES® sand cherry is a native selection—a plant found in the wild that was selected for unique, naturally-occurring traits, including its low stature. (Most sand cherries grow five to six feet tall.)
Tips from the pros: Give it plenty of room to grow horizontally. Occasional hand pruning of small limbs will keep this well-behaved plant in a beautiful shape.
Botanical name note: Prunus besseyi is a synonym for Prunus pumila var. besseyi.
Botanical name note: Prunus besseyi is a synonym for Prunus pumila var. besseyi.
Plant Type | Shrub |
Height | 15-18 inches |
Width | 4-6 feet |
Flowering Season | Early spring |
Flower Color | White |
Sun | Sun, Part Sun |
Water Needs | Moderate to xeric |
USDA Hardiness Zone | Zones 3-8 |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sandy |
Deer Resistant | No |
Good for Pollination | Yes |
Winter Interest | Yes |
North American Native | Yes |
Native Origins | CO, IA, KS, MI, MN, MT, ND, NE, OR, SD, UT, WI, WY |
Year Introduced | 2000 |
Annual Commercial Maintenance | After it's mature, select a few larger branches and prune them off to about 6" above ground. Let plant rejuvenate. |
5-10 Year Commercial Maintenance | In the spring, trim all height back to less than 8-12" and allow it to rejuvinate. (If you do annual maintenance, this care likely won't be needed.) |
Elevation Guide | Up to 8150 ft |