Nanking Cherries grow very fast and are very tasty. Nanking produces fragrant white spring flowers, shiny reddish-brown bark, and edible scarlet fruit make the cherry a favorite for mass plantings and borders. It is a vigorous, adaptable shrub particularly suited to the cold winters and hot summers. Two or more shrubs should be planted within 100' of each other to ensure cross-pollination. The dense branching pattern means the shrub is also well-suited for use as a windbreak filler, hedge, or wildlife habitat. Can be planted 4–5' apart to form a hedge. The tart, tangy fruit ripen in mid- to late summer and can be eaten fresh or used in pies, jams, and jellies. Ripens end of July. Prefers full sun, plant in a variety of soil conditions and pH levels. It prefers well-drained soil but will tolerate drought.