About
A dark red, acid cherry that is excellent for preserves, tarts, etc. Crops from late July to early August, including on a north-facing site. Regular, good crops; very attractive in blossom; self-fertile.
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, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
ToxicitySeed kernels harmful if eaten, wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationPlant in a moist, but well-drained soil, fan-trained against a south, west or north facing wall. Further acid cherry cultivation advice
PruningTrain in early to mid spring and once trained, prune after fruiting, following guidelines for pruning acid cherries / pruning established fans
PropagationCherries are usually propagated by grafting onto rootstocks for fruit
Pest resistanceProtect cherries against birds. Aphids, winter moth caterpillars and pear and cherry slugworm can be problematic
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus