Sand Cherry / Prunus besseyi

Sand Cherry / Prunus besseyi 'Pawnee Buttes'

From Plants of the Southwest Spring 2024

I got a Pawnee Buttes sand cherry to go in the spot where the desert willow had been at the corner of the garage. It's Prunus pumila var. besseyi.

Expectations:

Pawnee Buttes sand cherry

It has lovely white flowers in spring, red fall color and it is kind of a filler plant, low and spreading. Not tall, it's described as a ground cover shrub, to 18 inches, but the branches grow upward giving it some presence. 

I don't need anything tree-like in this spot, although the upright tree form desert willow would have been a nice accent. 

I'm okay with just filling this open area with something eye-catching, while the oaks some day will provide some height and sense of a grove nearby. I actually like the view beyond the corner to the walking trail.

What I need, though is something really tough and hardy that can take poor soil, full hot sun, and needs little water. 

I can get the hose to it pretty easily, but it's a harsh site, exposed in winter and hard to keep moist. We'll see how this does.

Experiences:

Pretty raggedy looking its first year. The foliage browned a bit and it didn't;t grow. Not settled in yet.