Prunus pumila
Common Name: Sand Cherry
Sand Cherry is a low, spreading shrub usually under 6 feet tall, often forming colonies. It grows in sandy prairies, dunes, and open pine forests, primarily in northern and central Minnesota. Its white spring flowers are followed by small purple-black cherries. This hardy shrub provides excellent groundcover in dry, sandy conditions and is used in erosion control, pollinator gardens, and native plantings on poor soils.