PLANTS OF ST. LUCIE CHERRY - PRUNUS MAHALEB

Ornamental shrub for hedges and singular. It is used as a graft for the cherry tree because it adapts to any types of grounds and resists to drought and cold. Birds love its fruits. In some regions the fruit is an ingredient in liqueur making. It is used in the art of bonsaï. The wood is a good firewood traditonally used by bakers a long time ago. It is useful to make umbrela sticks.

Deciduous shrub with clustered white flowers. It can grow up to 5m. The leaves are heart-shaped with a serrated edge. The fruit is a non edible and densely sour tasting small cherry.

It prefers limestone and stony soils.

Dig a hole at least two or three times as wide and deep as the root ball. Take out the plant from the container and loosen roots to allow them to spread out in all direction. Cut possible broken roots. Mix the soil extracted with a substrate and fill part of the hole with the mixture obtained. Place the plant in the hole and cover with the remaining mixture. Compact the soil around the plant and water thoroughly.