There is no shortage of quality cherry varieties for growers considering a new planting. Nursery availability for sweet cherries is better than it has been in many years. Many of these varieties are better quality than older eastern varieties while maintaining the same improved resistance to rain cracking. Check the online inventory for availability.
Cherry Varieties for the Modern Orchard
BlackPearl®
BlackPearl®
Maturity: 10 days before Bing
Excellent cherry for the farm market or wholesale. BlackPearl® ripens approximately ten days before Bing. This variety is quite productive and has low susceptibility to rain cracking. With a firm, crunchy texture, this cherry is sure to be popular with customers.
RadiancePearl®
RadiancePearl®
Maturity: 7 days before Bing
This blush cherry variety is an outstanding alternative to Rainier for growers in colder climates. The tree is hardier than Rainier and the fruit has outstanding flavor. Rain cracking resistance and fruit firmness are both better than Rainier.
Suite Note®
Maturity: 5 days before Bing
A delicious early season cherry with good size, Suite Note® is a good option for wholesale or the farm stand. Fruit is firm with mahogany skin and flesh. A productive rootstock is recommended for this variety.
BurgundyPearl®
Maturity: 3 days before Bing
An exceptionally flavored dark sweet cherry, BurgundyPearl® sizes well and resists cracking. This variety is firm and productive with great flavor.
Benton®
Maturity: 2 days before Bing
Benton® is a reliable mid-season cherry with medium size and good firmness. It is self-fertile with a later blooming period to avoid spring frost. Benton® is a reliable option as a mid-season cherry.
EbonyPearl®
EbonyPearl®
Maturity: 2 days before Bing
Another flavorful mid-season dark sweet cherry, EbonyPearl® sizes well and has low incidences of rain cracking in trials. The tree has also shown some canker resistance. This variety benefits when grown on a productive rootstock.
Tamara™
Maturity: 6 days after Bing
Originating in Tasmania, Tamara™ is a large dark sweet cherry with good crack resistance. It has high sugar content with a firm, crunchy texture.
Regina™
Regina™
Maturity: 12-15 days after Bing
This late season cherry has fantastic flavor and size. It holds up well in a wide range of climates, including most of the eastern U.S. Regina is less susceptible to rain cracking, with a firm, crunchy texture. Productive rootstocks and multiple pollenizers (Attika, Gold, Sam, and/or Skeena) are suggested for this variety.
Tart Cherries
Jubileum®
Maturity: 10 days before Montmorency
Jubileum® is a large, firm, tart/sweet fruit with high quality, dark purple flesh and juice. Fruit ripens 10 days before Montmorency and will hang for over a week with no quality loss. With its dark juice and high Anthocyanin content, Jubileum® can also be marketed for pain management.
Danube®
Maturity: 5 days before Montmorency
Danube® is a good U-pick companion to Jubileum. It ripens a week before Montmorency and 5 days after Jubileum®. Danube® is excellent firmness with bright red skin, juice, and flesh. The flavor is tart/sweet, up to 23 brix, and can be eaten out of hand. It’s also a good option for pies, jam, wine, and cordials.
Montmorency
Maturity: Early to Mid-July in most regions
Montmorency is the industry standard tart cherry for wholesale as well as a great farm stand option. Fruit is bright red with yellow flesh with clear juice. It is an extremely productive and reliable producer.
Balaton®
Maturity: 7 days after Montmorency
This morello type cherry is a firm round cherry with a deep Mahogany skin color. Balaton® has a pleasant tart flavor, sweeter than Montmorency. Fruit set may be light if temperatures are cold during bloom.
