Easy As Pie Bush Cherry

Easy As Pie™ Bush Cherry (Prunus x ‘SMNPJL’) delights home gardeners with its compact form and abundant tart cherries. Its white and pink flowers usher in warmer days, then give way to bright red fruit perfect for pies, preserves, and snacking. This low-maintenance shrub skips the hassle of traditional cherry trees, making it a practical alternative for small yards. Its mix of ornamental beauty and reliable yields sets it apart from other fruiting shrubs.Not only is it a self-fertile producer of juicy cherries, but it also displays a colorful show in fall when its foliage turns golden and orange. We’ve found it to be disease-resistant with clean leaves all growing season, reducing the need for spraying. Use it to form a productive hedge along your property line or position it as a focal point in a sunny border. Bees and butterflies find the spring flowers irresistible, transforming your garden into a lively pollinator haven.Easy As Pie™ Bush Cherry CarePlant this shrub in well-draining soil with a pH near neutral or slightly acidic for optimal growth. Give it full sun exposure of at least six hours daily, and water regularly during the first growing season to help roots establish. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring can support healthy foliage and encourage more fruit. Once mature, it tolerates brief dry spells but performs best with moderate, consistent moisture.Light pruning is rarely required, and trimming too aggressively can reduce the following season’s fruit set. Avoid cutting back heavily on older branches unless absolutely necessary, and do so just after harvesting cherries. For container-grown plants, choose a pot with good drainage and keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Move containers to a sheltered location if your region experiences extreme winter temperatures.Easy As Pie™ Bush Cherry SpacingAllow about three to four feet between each shrub when planting in rows or mass groupings. If you prefer container growth, select a pot about 12 to 16 inches wide and deep so the roots have ample room to spread. Easy As Pie™ Bush Cherry InformationUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3 – 8Plant Type: Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)Mature Height: 3 – 4.5 FeetMature Spread: 3 – 4.5 FeetSpacing: 15 – 18 FeetHabit: UprightFlower Color(s): Pink, WhiteFlower Description: Pink And White ShadesBloom Period: SpringFoliage Type: DeciduousFoliage Color(s): GreenFoliage Description: GreenSeasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Fall Interest, 3 Season InterestWatering: AverageResists: DiseaseTolerates: HeatAttracts: Bees, ButterfliesContainer Role: ThrillerUses: Borders, Edging, Specimen or Focal PointFeatures: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage InterestBrand: Proven WinnersCommon Name: Easy As Pie™ Bush CherryOther Name(s): Shrub CherryScientific Name: Prunus x ‘SMNPJL’