When does black cherry bloom?

Black cherry produces its white flower clusters in May and June, appearing after the leaves have emerged.

What pollinates black cherry flowers?

Bees and beetles are the main visitors to black cherry flowers, drawn to the nectar and pollen produced in the spring blooms.

How much light does black cherry need?

Black cherry grows best in full sun but tolerates part sun to part shade, often establishing first in open fields or forest edges before growing into the canopy.

What kind of soil moisture does black cherry prefer?

It grows well in medium moisture, well-drained soils but can tolerate drier sites once established, which is why it appears in a wide range of upland and disturbed habitats.

How large does black cherry grow?

Given room and time, black cherry can reach 60 to 80 feet tall, developing a straight trunk and rounded crown typical of mature forest trees.

Is Rum Cherry toxic to dogs?

Yes. Rum 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 Rum Cherry toxic to cats?

Yes. Rum 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.

Is Rum Cherry toxic to livestock?

Rum Cherry is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (severe severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.

Is Rum Cherry HOA-friendly?

Rum Cherry takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Rum Cherry

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Prunus serotina

Last reviewed: August 2026

Prunus serotina, or black cherry, is a deciduous tree with drooping clusters of white flowers in May and June. It thrives in woodlands, fencerows, and old fields across much of the eastern and central United States.

Rum Cherry (Prunus serotina) — Photo: Seth Wollney / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Rum Cherry is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Rum Cherry is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a severe level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

180"–600" H × 120"–360" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CO and 35 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

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Rum cherry is a large native tree that produces fragrant white flower clusters in late spring followed by small dark berries in summer. This fast-growing deciduous tree develops an oval to rounded crown and can reach substantial size at maturity.

Growing Rum Cherry

Grow Rum Cherry in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 180 to 600 inches tall and spread 120 to 360 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Rum Cherry takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Becomes very large for most residential lots
Berries can create mess on walkways and driveways
May be considered too wild or informal for front yards

Wildlife value

Host plant for tiger swallowtail, promethea moth, eastern tent caterpillar.

The flowers attract bees and beetles in May and June, while the berries feed numerous bird species. The foliage serves as a host plant for several butterfly and moth caterpillars.

Common questions

When does black cherry bloom?: Black cherry produces its white flower clusters in May and June, appearing after the leaves have emerged.
What pollinates black cherry flowers?: Bees and beetles are the main visitors to black cherry flowers, drawn to the nectar and pollen produced in the spring blooms.
How much light does black cherry need?: Black cherry grows best in full sun but tolerates part sun to part shade, often establishing first in open fields or forest edges before growing into the canopy.
What kind of soil moisture does black cherry prefer?: It grows well in medium moisture, well-drained soils but can tolerate drier sites once established, which is why it appears in a wide range of upland and disturbed habitats.
How large does black cherry grow?: Given room and time, black cherry can reach 60 to 80 feet tall, developing a straight trunk and rounded crown typical of mature forest trees.
Is Rum Cherry toxic to dogs?: Yes. Rum 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 Rum Cherry toxic to cats?: Yes. Rum 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.
Is Rum Cherry toxic to livestock?: Rum Cherry is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (severe severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
Is Rum Cherry HOA-friendly?: Rum Cherry takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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