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continued from page 29 it is outnumbered by Chlorophyll. Since Chlorophyll absorbs blue and red light waves – reflecting the green spectrum – most leaves appear as green to our eyes. In the case of plants with an abundance of Anthocyanin – which absorbs green light waves – the leaves appear as a deep-purple, sometimes coppery color. There is still plenty of Chlorophyll at work in these leaves; just not in the same ratios. Enter the beautiful ‘Canada Red’ Chokecherry cultivar. Originally, this cultivar was – and for some growers still is – named ‘Schubert,’ or Schubert Chokecherry. Bailey Nurseries of Minnesota claims they found a branch sport on a Schubert in production, and upon propagating this sport, believe it had a faster growth rate, straighter trunk, and brighter red leaves. While there is much debate over the two being separate plants, it seems most nurseries sell the plant under the name ‘Canada Red’. What ‘Canada Red’ lacks, compared to the flower power of other Cherries, it makes up for in leaf color. As the name fails to imply, the leaves emerge a nice green, fading to a deeppurple color for the summer months. These plants inherited all the toughness of their parents, are quite salt tolerant, and have incredible winter-cold hardiness. No winter in Ohio should be able to harm them.
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‘Canada Red’ should stay in the ornamental tree range, again, perhaps hitting in the mid twenty foot range. It may form some root suckers that should be removed immediately. Like the species, it will perform much better – fighting off disease and pest issues – given a well-drained, highly-aerated soil. It would make an excellent street tree, if you take the time to amend the devil strip area it will be planted in. At minimum, make sure the soil is well aerated. Unlike the species, we find that ‘Canada Red’ does not fruit as heavily, and most will be taken by birds. If you’re in the market for a nice, native, small tree that can add a punch of leaf color to the landscape, consider a Prunus virginiana ‘Canada Red’ in your next planting plan. Enjoy!
Jim Funai is full-time faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, a NALP accredited associate of applied science in hoticulture degree program. He is pursuing a PhD in Landscape Engineering and Forestry and is a Licensed Arborist. Shelley Funai is Grounds Manager at Stan Hywett Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio, which offers a historic estate designed by Warren H. Manning and a beautiful manor house museum. She is Landscape Industry Certified in Ornamental Plant Care.