Zone 4 · winter lows -30°F to -20°F
Prunus for Zone 4
18 Prunus varieties rated hardy through Zone 4, ranked by how many gardeners actually grow them. Zone 4 is short, intense seasons — plants here are the toughest in the catalog.
The Prunus that thrive in Zone 4
#1 most savedBlack Cherry
Prunus serotina
#2 most savedJuliet Cherry
Prunus cerasus 'Juliet'
#3 most savedSilver Maple
Prunus saccharinum

Carmine Jewel Cherry
Prunus pulsar 'Carmine Jewel'

European Plum
Prunus domestica

Alderman Plum
Prunus domestica 'Alderman Std'

Montmorency Cherry
Prunus 'Montmorency'

American Plum
Prunus americana

Beach Plum
Prunus maritima

Purpleleaf Sand Cherry
Prunus cistena

Columnar Sargent Cherry
Prunus sargentii 'Columnaris'

Common Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana

Reliance Peach
Prunus 'Reliance'

North Star Cherry
Prunus 'North Star'

Pink Flair Sargent Cherry
Prunus sargentii 'Pink Flair Cherry'

Canada Red Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana 'Canada Red'

Contender Peach
Prunus persica 'Contender'

Pawnee Buttes Western Sandcherry
Prunus besseyi 'Pawnee Buttes'
Prunus in Zone 4
Will Prunus survive a Zone 4 winter?
18 of the 71 Prunus varieties in the Sow catalog are rated hardy through Zone 4, where winter lows reach -30°F to -20°F. Hardiness is per-variety, not per-genus — the plants listed above are the ones that hold up; others in the genus are not rated for this zone.
When should I plant Prunus in Zone 4?
In Zone 4 the last spring frost typically lands around mid-May and the first fall frost around late September. Planting after the last frost — or in early fall, so roots establish before the ground cools — gives the best establishment. Each plant page lists its own planting months.
Which Prunus is best for Zone 4?
Start at the top of the list above: it is ranked by how many gardeners actually save and grow each variety, which is a strong real-world reliability signal. Then narrow by your sun exposure and the mature size that fits the bed.
