Riverdene Garden Centre

Bailey's Select Schubert Chokecherry

$149.99 CAD

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Size 7 gallon

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“Bailey’s Select ‘Schubert’” Chokecherry — Care Guide

This cultivar is a selection of Prunus virginiana (wild chokecherry) with improved ornamental traits.
Height & Spread: It can reach 25–30 ft tall with a spread of ~20 ft (or in some sources somewhat less) under favorable conditions.
Growth Rate: Fast — up to 15–20 in (≈ 38–50 cm) per year in good conditions.
Hardiness Zone: Very cold-hardy — rated to Zone 2 in some catalogs.
Foliage & Color:
• New foliage emerges green, then matures to red-purple or burgundy tones in summer.
• In fall, foliage can take on brick-red or deeper red tones.
Flowers & Fruit:
• Clusters of white, fragrant flowers appear in late May–early June.
• Fruit ripens in mid to late August — small black, astringent cherries (useful for jam, syrup, wine).
• The cultivar is self-fertile, though yields improve with a pollinator.
Challenges:
• Prone to suckering (sending up shoots from roots).
• More susceptible to black knot disease — regular pruning and vigilance needed.
• If planted in “row” style without maintenance, unpruned plants may form dense thickets.

Sunlight: Full sun is ideal for strong foliage color and flowering.
Soil: Prefers well-drained soils. Good drainage is critical to avoid root stress or disease.
Spacing: Because of size and suckering tendency, allow ample spacing (at least ~20 ft between individuals) for mature form and maintenance.
Planting Tips:
• Ensure the graft union (if any) is above soil line
• Backfill with native soil plus compost, avoid overly rich mixes that promote weak growth

In Early Years: Water regularly to help roots establish — keep the root zone moist but not saturated
Once Established: More drought-tolerant; water during prolonged dry spells to maintain vigor and fruit set
Mulching: Apply 2–3 in of organic mulch around the base (keep mulch off the trunk) to conserve moisture and suppress weeds

In early spring, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer if soil is lean
Avoid over-fertilization, especially with high nitrogen, which can lead to excessive vegetative growth susceptible to disease

Best Time: Late winter to early spring, while dormant
What to Do:
• Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches
• Prune out any black knot-infected wood immediately (cut well into healthy wood)
• Remove suckers from the base to maintain clean trunk and prevent thicket formation
• Thin interior branches to improve airflow and reduce disease risk

Black Knot: A fungal disease that affects Prunus species — prune and destroy all infected branches
Other Pests: Aphids, scale, borers — monitor and treat as needed
Preventive Practices: Good air circulation, avoid overhead irrigation, remove fallen fruit and debris

Photo from calgaryplants.com