Bitter cherry
Prunus emarginata
Last reviewed: October 2026
Bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata) is a perennial tree native to AZ, CA, ID, MT and 5 more states. It blooms in April and May. The flowers draw bees.
Bitter cherry is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Native swaps for a yard with pets
Bitter cherry is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
240"–480" H × 180"–300" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
AZ, CA, ID, MT and 5 more states
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
Small deciduous tree or large shrub with reddish bark and clusters of white flowers in spring, followed by small, bitter red to black cherries. Found along streambanks and forest edges.
Growing Bitter cherry
Grow Bitter cherry in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 240 to 480 inches tall and spread 180 to 300 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for pale swallowtail, Lorquin's admiral.
Flowers attract native bees; foliage is a larval host for pale swallowtail and Lorquin's admiral butterflies, and the small fruits feed birds.
Common questions
- How much sun does Bitter cherry need?
- Bitter cherry grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Bitter cherry bloom?
- Bitter cherry blooms in April and May.
- Where is Bitter cherry native?
- Bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata) is native to AZ, CA, ID, MT and 5 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Bitter cherry toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Bitter cherry is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Bitter cherry toxic to cats?
- Yes. Bitter cherry is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- What butterflies or moths does Bitter cherry host?
- Bitter cherry is a larval host plant for pale swallowtail and Lorquin's admiral.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Bitter cherry and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.