Prunus sibirica is a small, cold-hardy shrub or tree in the rose family, native to northern China, Korea, Mongolia and eastern Siberia. It is grown mainly as an ornamental and for its extreme frost tolerance, and its fruit is rarely cultivated.
Family
Rosaceae (Rose family)
Grows as
Tree, Shrub
Light
Full sun
Water
Water regularly when young and during dry spells, then allow the top of the soil to dry between waterings.
Soil
Well-drained soil, tolerant of poor and alkaline conditions.
Temperature
Hardy to about -45 °C; grows well in cold continental climates.
How easy
Easy
Safety
Toxic: Seeds and other plant parts of Prunus species contain cyanogenic compounds that can release cyanide when crushed or chewed; avoid eating the seeds and leaves.. Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
Edible
Yes, some parts
Native range
S. Siberia to N. China and NC. Korea
Climate
temperate
About
Prunus sibirica, commonly known as Siberian apricot, is a species of shrub or small tree native to northern China, Korea, Mongolia, and eastern Siberia. It is classified in the rose family, Rosaceae, and is one of several species whose fruit are called apricot, although this species is rarely cultivated for its fruit. The species was named by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
Uses
Seed oil from P. sibirica has been studied as a source of biodiesel. The oil content of Prunus mandshurica seeds is significantly higher and also has potential as a source of biodiesel.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Prunus sibirica by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.