If you’re a cherry lover, you’ll be happy to know that there are a lot of varieties out there. Each one has a sweet or tart flavor that makes it a great addition to snacking, baking, or desserts.
The sweet cherries are ideal for snacking, while sour cherries are great for baking and desserts. So which kind is right for you?
1. Bing
Bing cherries are one of the most popular cherry varieties in the United States. They are a cross between the Black Republican and a Napoleon variety, and are known for their sweet and juicy flavor.
They are a popular choice for snacking and fresh eating as well as making a delicious cherry preserves or jam. They are easy to grow and require minimal care, making them an ideal addition to any home garden or yard.
2. Lapins
Lapins is a self-pollinating cherry variety developed in British Columbia in 1984 at the Summerland Research Station. It was created by crossing Stella (first self-fertile cherry) and Van (very used in crosses for its excellent characteristics).
This hardy and productive cross produces large, sweet cherries that resist splitting. They’re delicious eaten fresh from the tree, baked into juicy pies and pastries, or preserved in jams or canned.
3. Celeste
A naturally compact grower that ripens in mid July, the Celeste is a self fertile variety with quality large dark red fruits. This cherry tree is great for smaller gardens or patio growing.
These cherries are known for their delicious flavour and are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They are also a good source of fiber which can aid weight loss.
4. Nabella
A heavy cropping acid cherry with a bright red, glossy fruit. It’s a good choice for preserving or making jams, pies and liqueurs.
Among modern self-fertile cherries the Nabella is the cherry on the tree, with its dazzlingly coloured fruits and excellent quality, it’s also one of our favourites for patio pot growing. For the best results, plant it into a large hole, allowing its rootball to fan out and be watered regularly. The best results are found in the sunnier climes of the South and West, but they are surprisingly hardy for their size.
5. May Duke
If you’re looking for a cherry that can be eaten raw or used in cooking, May Duke is your best bet. It is a cross between sweet and sour cherries, making it a good dual-purpose variety.
The tree can be self-fertile, but for better pollination you should put another cherry type near by that blooms at the same time. This is called grouping.
6. Celeste x Lapins
The Lapins cherry tree is a self-fertile cultivar that produces extra-large and dark red cherries up to an inch in diameter. They have an incredibly sweet flavor that rivals even Bing.
They are a very popular variety in Canada and other countries. They can be grown in a wide range of climates and soils, although they are susceptible to cracking in heavy rains.
Developed by Summerland research in Canada, this is a modern self-fertile cherry variety. It is the number one selling variety worldwide and a favorite among growers and consumers alike.
7. Stella
Stella cherries are large, heart-shaped fruits that taste sweet and juicy. They’re a popular variety for snacking, baking, canning and freezing.
Unlike many other cherry varieties, Stella is self-fruitful, so you don’t need a second tree to pollinate them.
They are also adaptable to a wide range of soils and grow well in full sun. They prefer moist, well-drained soil with a neutral pH (6-7). Water them deeply and regularly during fruiting season for the largest, juiciest cherries.
8. Kordia
There are times when you just know that something is right for you. You find that it’s your main focus and everything else just seems like it’s a distraction.
When you’re focused, everything is easier and you feel like you can accomplish anything. It feels as though you’re on a mission to make your life better.
