Common bird cherry is often used as an ornamental plant in the design of gardens and parks. She is an excellent honey plant. Its white flower clusters delight the eye. But if you want to have not only beauty in your garden, but also draw practical benefits from it, plant one of the American plant species near the house. Meet: bird cherry late. This overseas guest at first glance is not much different from his European sister. However, it gives fruits that are not much larger. They can be enjoyed not only by thrushes, but also by people. Therefore, late bird cherry is also called "American cherry". But even more like a red cherry, its close sister gives fruits. It is called the virgin bird cherry. In this article, we will talk about these two types of plants. Should I plant them in the garden? How to care for overseas trees? What to do with fruits? You will find out if you read the article.
Where did these "emigrants" come from and why are they called that?
Virgin and late bird cherry in the wildcommon in the eastern United States. However, the habitats of these two species still differ. The bird cherry is not limited to the state of the same name alone. It grows well in all areas with a temperate climate, that is, in the southern provinces of Canada too. And in its distribution it reaches almost to the Pacific coast. But her sister, late bird cherry, is more thermophilic. The northern border of the range does not go beyond the Great Lakes, but to the south it extends almost to the very Gulf of Mexico. In the western United States, it occurs in isolated populations in New Mexico and Arizona. You can see it in nature and to the south. So, she feels great in the mountains of Guatemala and Mexico. This bird cherry received the name "late" because it blooms two or even four weeks later than the ordinary species. In its homeland, it is called "rum cherry". And this name, given to the plant for the taste of berries, is the best recommendation for the tree.
Late bird cherry: description
This species is scientifically called Prúnus serótina, that is, botany refers it to the genus Plum. But the bird cherry belongs to the Pink family. Prunus Serotina is a fairly large tree, grows up to 30 meters high. Like the common bird cherry, the late one often forms a bush with a sprawling, regular oval-shaped crown. This is a very fast growing tree. For a year it adds to its height about sixty centimeters. The late bird cherry differs from its European sister primarily in its bark. Even in winter, the tree is easy to recognize bysmooth, like a birch, but dark cherry bark with a pleasant almond smell. The leaves of the late bird cherry are up to twelve centimeters long, broadly lanceolate. They are dark green in color with a hint of bronze. Leaves are glossy above and lighter below. This tree serves as a decoration of park alleys, because in autumn it dresses in all conceivable shades of red and yellow. But as for the aroma of flowers, the European species is more fragrant and honey-bearing. But the clusters of common and late bird cherry are similar. The flowers of both species are white, small.
The benefits and harms of late bird cherry
The American species has a very beautiful and easy to work wood. It is red in color, and furniture and various crafts are made from it in America. At the same time, the wood retains a subtle almond smell for a long time. It doesn't crack or warp. An interesting fact is that the North American Indians have long used the fruits of the tree as a medicine, and the infusion of the bark as a means of healing festering wounds. But what housewives love late bird cherry for is the taste of the fruit. A rather large (1 cm in diameter) dark red drupe is formed in July and ripens by the end of August or September. Ripe fruits are almost black in color and have a very pleasant taste of rum-aged cherries. From the berries in the homeland of the plant, jams, jams, fillings for pies, tinctures and liqueurs are made. The harm from the late bird cherry is the same as from its European sister. You can not plant trees near pastures. Bird cherry leaves and bark contain hydrocyanic acid and cyanide. Atrotting fallen twigs, the concentration of these substances increases and can be dangerous for herbivores.
Virginian bird cherry: description
This species has larger inflorescences. And, therefore, berries. "Virginka" blooms in the same period as the late bird cherry. The fruits also ripen by the end of summer. At first they are red like cherries. As they ripen, they darken like cherries to maroon, almost black. Clusters are similar to currants, only the berries are much larger. The fruits of the virgin bird cherry are also very tasty. Several dozen varieties of this species have been bred in the USA and Canada. There are trees with red leaves, and those that have pink rather than white inflorescences, and with double petals. Since the virgin bird cherry is more frost-resistant than the late bird cherry (after all, its natural distribution area extends to the central provinces of Canada), it can also be cultivated in Russian gardens.
Most popular varieties
If you want your garden to look beautiful and spectacular, and at the same time require minimal maintenance, plant a Siberian beauty. This variety is the fruit of crossing two species: common bird cherry + virgin. In the garden, Beauty stands out primarily for its purple foliage. In May, the crown is green, but by July it begins to turn red. After that, the upper side of the leaf becomes purple, and the lower side becomes light lilac. In the wind, the play of shades is very impressive. Since these varieties are propagated by cross-pollination, you need to plant notless than two trees. If the Siberian beauty was bred with the help of the Canadian variety Virgin Schubert (which is why its leaves got such a bluish-red tint), then the bird cherry Late Joy has few other ancestors. Her pedigree also has a common European ancestor. But the clothespin for the local species was made from wild-growing bird cherry.
How to create the right conditions for American varieties?
In the Russian non-Black Earth region, it is better to give preference to the virgin species. It is more resistant to late frosts. But we should not forget that all bird cherry trees love light, so they do not need to be planted in shady areas. Both virgin and late species are undemanding to soils. But if you want a beautifully formed crown and a generous harvest, make sure that the soil is rich in minerals and well loosened. The occurrence of water should be at least one and a half meters from the surface. To the credit of overseas trees, it must be said that they do not behave like aggressive neophytes. That is, they do not jam other trees and shrubs in your garden. On the contrary, they attract pollinators, enrich and loosen the soil.
What can be made from fruits?
A particularly rich harvest is produced by the bird cherry variety Late Joy. We have already given a description of his pedigree. Since bird cherry is listed in the ancestors, the variety is perfectly adapted to European conditions. Late joy ripens in September. Gives a rich harvest of round, dark brown (sometimes completely black) fruits. Their taste is slightly astringent, sweet and sour, reminiscent of cherries. Tinctures are made from the seeds. Jams are made from fruits. You can simply grind the berries with sugar and roll them up for the winter - this way more vitamins will be preserved.
