Grow Heat and Drought Tolerant Jade Parade Sand Cherry

When looking for a low growing shrub for the front of the border, hillside or groundcover, consider Jade Parade Sand Cherry.

The glossy bluish-green leaves cover upward facing branches that grow 2 to 4 feet tall. It sends out new growth covering an area 6 to 8 feet wide.

You and early pollinators will enjoy the small white flowers that cover the plant in spring. These give way to small black cherries in late summer for the birds to enjoy. The season ends in a blaze of color as the leaves turn shades of yellow, orange and red.

This plant was bred by Dr. Mark Brand at the University of Connecticut and is very tolerant of full sun and dry soil once established.

I received a few Jade Parade Sand Cherries to trial in my garden. I plan to buy a few more this year to fill another spot in my landscape.

A bit more information: Jade Parade is a cultivar of Prunus pumila native to North America. It is noted for having special value to a large number of native bees.