Prunus caroliniana
Light: Full sun to partial shade; morning sun with afternoon shade is preferable in Phoenix. Avoid hot west-facing walls and reflected pavement heat.
Water: Moderate water needs; not a low-water desert plant. Water deeply, allowing the upper few inches of soil to dry between irrigations. Newly planted specimens and plants exposed to summer heat need more frequent watering.
Soil: Well-drained soil; prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. Phoenix’s alkaline soils can cause nutrient deficiencies. Apply organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Mature size: Typically 20–40 feet tall and 15–25 feet wide if unpruned; compact cultivars remain substantially smaller.
Bloom: Late winter to early spring, generally February through April in warm climates.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast with adequate water and suitable soil; slower under Phoenix heat or alkaline-soil stress.