About
A hardy and reliable heritage variety of sweet cherry up to 6m in height, with a neat habit, thought to have originated back in the 18th or 19th century. The green foliage turns to orange and red in autumn. White flowers appear in spring, following by dark red to black fruit in July with skins that resist splitting. Not self-fertile, pollination group 3.
About the genus
Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile soil in full sun. Cherries are best suited to fan-training so they can be netted against bird damage and protected from frosts. See sweet cherry cultivation for further advice
PruningTrain fan-trained trees in spring. Prune established fans and carry out routine pruning on established cherry trees when harvesting the fruits in summer
PropagationPropagate by chip budding or grafting on clonal rootstock for fruit
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to cherry blackfly, pear and cherry slugworm and winter moth caterpillar. The fruit can be damaged by spotted wing drosophila and birds
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus