While there are several factors to consider when making decisions concerning plant spacing, regard the minimal distances for plant health and cultivation. Sand cherries are vigorous, distinguishing shrubs that aren’t hard to develop, but they do require sun to retain their best characteristics. Avoid crowding and shading from company plants.
Plant Spacing
Space plants at a space that allows room because of their height and spread at maturity. For instance, if a tree reaches 5 feet in height and spread, then plant it a minimum of 5 feet from an adjacent tree that also grows to 5 feet, or further if the nearest tree is broader. If planted close to a tree, the tree canopy should have a clear distance of 5 feet from the bottom. Just shade-tolerant plants can be planted under a tree canopy.
Sand Cherry Shrubs
Western sand cherry (Prunus bessayi) is a winter-hardy tree for USDA planting zones 3 to 6, as wide as it is tall, with an open, spreading habit. A favorite ornamental hybrid is the “Purpleleaf” sand cherry (Prunus x cistena), which includes reddish-purple foliage. It is among the first shrubs to bloom in the spring, with the blossoms appearing before the leaves. It is possible to plant mud cherries as a hedge, massed for border planting or where the purple foliage will comparison to surrounding plants. Sand cherries require full sun and moist, well-drained dirt conditions.
Sand Cherry Spacing from Shrubs
Sand cherries are usually 5 to 6 ft in width and height, although there is some variation, depending on the cultivar. When planted as hedging, or in circles, space them in 5 or 6 feet on center from each other. If planted near another species, then add half the spread of this second species to half the spread of this sand cherry. That means you should plant a 6-foot mud cherry situated alongside your honeysuckle (Lonicera species, zones 3 to 7) with a spread of 8 ft, a minimum of 6 1/2 feet from the honeysuckle.
Sand Cherry Spacing from Trees and Perennials
Because they don’t tolerate shade, plant sand cherries away from the canopy of a tree. When you plant the 6-foot mud cherry close to a tree with a canopy of 20 feet, then it is spaced at a distance of 13 feet. The exact same process applies to perennials — planted next to a perennial with an 18-inch spread, space the sand cherry 45 inches from the perennial. Monitor all crops as they develop, and adjust as necessary to accommodate individual plant growth.