There are quite a few different cultivars of cherry, and it can be difficult to know which one might be the best choice. Some are better in dry climates, others are more resistant to common diseases in humid areas, and some are more cold-hardy than others. Here are some of the best varieties to choose from.
Bing
‘Bing’ is a midseason cherry and has been the standard in the Pacific Northwest for over a century. It is prized for its firm texture, excellent flavor, and ability to store well, making it a top choice for distant markets.
Bing cherries are a classic dark sweet variety that originated in Oregon in 1875. They are one of the most widely recognized and commercially grown cherries.
However, ‘Bing’ is susceptible to rain cracking, which can impact yield in wet climates. Despite these challenges, ‘Bing’ remains a favorite for fresh market cherries.
Rainier
Rainier is a white sweet cherry variety developed by WSU-USDA in 1960. It produces large, attractive fruit that is highly prized for its sweetness and texture. However, Rainier cherries can be unproductive in certain conditions and are moderately susceptible to rain cracking. This cultivar is self-infertile, requiring another variety for cross-pollination. Rainier cherries bloom early in the season and are typically harvested in mid-season.
Rainier cherries are a cross between Bing and Van cherries. The large golden-yellow cherry fruits are hardy and crack-resistant.
Stella
Cherry ‘Stella’ is a great option when you might be short on space. The fruit is enormous, glossy, and dark in color. It has a sweet cherry and deep scarlet flesh. Stella is a cherry tree that grows upright at first before spreading; dependable, heavy cropper. Good self-fertilizer and pollinator; and may produce more fruit if another variety of cherry is grown nearby.
Glacier
Glacier cherry has shown to be particularly well suited to milder maritime climates. There are large, tasty, dark red fruits on a self-pollinating tree. The fruit size is greater than that of Bing or Lapins and is particularly resistant to cracking.
North Star
The North Star cherry is a self-pollinating sour cherry tree. It grows 8 to 10 feet tall and is a dwarf variety. The flesh is a deep crimson color, as is the skin. The North Star creates fantastic wine, and its sour cherries are excellent for baking.
Lapins
Lapins is a dark, sweet cherry variety favored by home growers. ‘Lapins’ ripens 10–14 days after ‘Bing’ and is known for its large fruit size and high productivity. Lapins cherries are self-fertile, so they do not require another variety for pollination.
Originating from Summerland, British Columbia, Lapins cherries can be tricky to ship, and are therefore grown mostly in local orchards and by backyard growers. The fruit resists rain cracking.
Sweetheart
Sweetheart is a late-ripening dark sweet cherry variety that originated in Summerland, British Columbia. The fruit is moderately large, very firm, and has a strong, agreeable flavor. Fruit is typically harvested 18–20 days after ‘Bing’.
It is known for being a grower-friendly tree due to its heavy cropping on all rootstocks and reliable performance. Sweetheart cherries are moderately susceptible to rain cracking and powdery mildew, so some care is needed in wet climates. The tree is open, precocious, and productive, but it can overset if not properly pruned.
This cultivar is self-fertile, making it easy to grow in a variety of settings. Sweetheart cherries bloom in mid-season and are typically harvested very late, providing an extended harvest period with high-quality fruit.
Van
Van is an early cherry cultivar that produces delicious, juicy, and sizable edible fruits. Van offers all the advantages of Bing, including superior flavor, but is also renowned for producing a higher crop of dark red sweet cherries. Compared to other sweet cherry kinds, these lovely cherries have a rich crimson-purple hue and grow rather large.
Vandalay
Vandalay is a dark sweet cherry variety that also originated in Vineland, Ontario. Similar to Tehranivee, it is known for being highly productive, and thinning may be necessary to ensure the best fruit quality. Vandalay cherries are self-fertile, making them a convenient choice for growers. This variety blooms early in the season and is typically harvested in mid-season. Vandalay cherries are valued for their sweetness and firm texture.
Lambert
A Lambert is a productive tree preferred for the production of commercial cherries. It produces heavy crops of large, delicious cherries. Particularly helpful for cooking. For best pollination, put a different cherry type close by. Lambert cherries provide fresh sweet fruit for a delectable and wholesome snack. Jams, preserves, cherry pies, and tarts are all delicious uses. A lovely deciduous decorative tree.
Royal Ann
The Royal Ann tree is one of the tiniest yet heaviest-bearing sweet cherry trees. Due to this, these cherry trees grow in containers, backyards, home orchards, and urban settings. This magnificent sweet cherry tree thrives in areas like the Midwest of the United States, where summer and winter temperatures vary.
Almaden Duke
The Almaden Duke is a unique cherry cultivar originating from San Jose, California. It is a seedling combination of sweet and tart cherries, categorized as an amorelle type. This cultivar is self-fertile, making it a convenient choice for gardeners without multiple cherry trees for cross-pollination. Almaden Duke cherries bloom early to mid-season and are harvested in the late season, offering a balance of sweetness and tartness in their flavor profile.
Andersen
The Andersen cherry is a dark sweet variety developed at Cornell University (NY 9295) and released in 2006. It is notable for being more tart than most sweet cherries, making it a unique addition to the dark sweet category. The Andersen cherry is productive and has low susceptibility to cracking, which is an advantage for growers. It blooms mid to late in the season and is typically harvested in mid-season.
Chelan
The ‘Chelan’ cherry cultivar is an early-season producer, typically harvested 10-12 days before ‘Bing.’ It produces firm, mahogany-colored fruit that is moderately resistant to rain cracking and powdery mildew
Chelan cherries are relatively small and have a mild flavor. The trees aren’t particularly vigorous and do best with significant annual pruning. Good pollinators for this variety include ‘Bing,’ ‘Black Pearl,’ or ‘Burgundy Pearl.’
Angela
The Angela cherry is a dark sweet cultivar originating from Utah. It is known for being a reliable producer, although its fruit tends to be smaller in size compared to other varieties. Angela cherries are tolerant to rain cracking, which is particularly beneficial in regions prone to heavy rain during the cherry season. This cultivar blooms in mid-season and is ready for harvest during the same period.
Black Gold
Black Gold is a dark sweet cherry variety developed at Cornell University (NY 13791) and released in 2001, also known as Ridgewood. This cultivar ripens in the late mid-season and is moderately tolerant to rain cracking. Black Gold cherries are self-fertile, making them an excellent option for smaller orchards or home gardens where space for multiple trees may be limited. The tree blooms from mid to late in the season.
Black Pearl
‘Black Pearl’ is an early-season variety harvested 7-9 days before ‘Bing’. It has a dark mahogany color and offers a mild yet sweet flavor. Suggested pollinizers include ‘Chelan’ and ‘Burgundy Pearl.’
Danube Erdi B
The Danube Erdi B cherry is a tart, morello-type pie cherry developed at Michigan State University. It is sweeter than the widely known Montmorency tart cherry, making it a preferred choice for those who enjoy a less acidic flavor in pies and preserves. This variety is self-fertile, meaning it does not require another cherry tree for pollination. It blooms in the late mid-season and is ready for harvest in mid-season.
Early Burlat
Early Burlat is a dark sweet cherry variety that originated in Morocco in 1936 and was introduced by the USDA. It is known for being one of the earliest ripening cherries, making it a valuable cultivar for extending the cherry season. However, its early ripening makes it more vulnerable to bird damage, and protection measures may be necessary. Early Burlat cherries have low susceptibility to cracking and bloom in mid-season.
Ebony Pearl
Ebony Pearl is a dark sweet cherry cultivar developed at Cornell University and introduced in 2008. While it is a recent introduction, it has not been fully tested at the Mount Vernon research site. This variety is anticipated to be a significant addition to the dark sweet cherry category, but further evaluation is needed to confirm its performance and characteristics in different growing conditions.
Emperor Francis
The Emperor Francis is a white sweet cherry cultivar that originated in Austria around 1860. It ripens just after the well-known Rainier cherry and is known for being productive and resistant to fruit cracking. However, this variety is self-infertile, meaning it requires a pollinizer to set fruit. Emperor Francis cherries bloom in the mid-early season and offer a reliable harvest of sweet, juicy fruit.
Governor Wood
Governor Wood is a duke cherry variety that originated in the United States in 1842. This old variety is sweeter than the Montmorency cherry, making it a good option for those who prefer a less tart flavor. Governor Wood cherries are self-fertile, meaning they do not require another variety for pollination. The tree blooms from mid to late in the season and is harvested in the late mid-season.
Hardy Giant
The Hardy Giant is a dark sweet cherry cultivar originating from the United States. Its productivity can be variable, but it has the advantage of being less prone to rain cracking compared to other varieties. Hardy Giant cherries are self-infertile, so they require another cherry variety for cross-pollination. This variety blooms early in the season and is typically harvested in mid-season.
Hartland
Hartland is a dark sweet cherry variety developed at Cornell University and released in 1992. It is known for being a productive tree, although its fruit is softer than the popular Bing cherry. Hartland cherries bloom in mid-season and are ready for harvest in the early to mid-season. This variety offers a good balance of productivity and quality for growers.
Hudson
Hudson is a dark sweet cherry variety developed at Cornell University and introduced in 1964. It is highly tolerant to bacterial canker and resistant to fruit cracking, making it a resilient choice for growers. Hudson cherries are self-infertile, so they require another cherry variety for pollination. They bloom from mid to late in the season and are harvested very late, extending the cherry season.
Kristin
Kristin is a dark sweet cherry cultivar developed at Cornell University and tested for Norway. It has moderate to good resistance to rain cracking, which is beneficial in climates with unpredictable rainfall during the cherry season. Kristin cherries are self-infertile, requiring a pollinizer for fruit production. They bloom in mid-season and are typically harvested in the early to mid-season.
Nugent
Nugent is a white sweet cherry variety developed at Cornell University (NY 518) and released in 2006. It is known for its non-blush yellow skin and white flesh, making it visually distinct from other cherries. Nugent cherries have little susceptibility to cracking, but they are self-infertile, requiring a pollinizer for fruit set. This variety blooms early in the season and is harvested very late, offering a unique addition to the cherry harvest.
Royal Hazel
Royal Hazel is an early ripening, high-quality variety harvested 9-10 days before ‘Bing.’ The fruit is large with a firm texture and mahogany color. It has moderate resistance to rain-cracking and offers an excellent sweet-acid flavor.
Due to its very early bloom (about seven days before ‘Bing’), it is best suited for frost-protected areas. It can also be tricky to find other cherries that bloom this early to act as a pollinator partner. Options include ‘Royal Lynn’ and ‘Royal Tioga’.
Santina
The ‘Santina’ cherry cultivar an early self-fertile option with a rich mahogany color. It is harvested 5-7 days before ‘Bing.’ ‘Santina’ cherries are large in size, but the flavor is typically mild.
Schneider
Schneider is a dark sweet cherry variety originating from Germany. It is an old variety known for producing large fruit that ripens in mid-season. Schneider cherries bloom late in the season, which can help avoid late spring frosts, but this timing may also limit the number of available pollinizers.
Starblush
Starblush is a white sweet cherry variety developed in Summerland, British Columbia, in 2007. This cultivar produces very large, Rainier-type cherries that are highly productive and extremely sweet. Starblush cherries are self-fertile, allowing them to set fruit without the need for a pollinizer. They bloom from early to mid-season and are harvested in the late season, making them an excellent choice for extending the cherry harvest period.
Surefire
Surefire is a tart cherry variety developed at Cornell University and released in 1993. It is a productive pie cherry, although it is not known for being highly vigorous. Surefire cherries are self-fertile, meaning they do not require another variety for pollination, which simplifies orchard management. The tree blooms late in the season, which can help avoid frost damage, and the fruit is typically ready for harvest in the early to mid-season. Surefire cherries are valued for their consistent production and suitability for baking and preserves.
Tehranivee
Tehranivee is a dark sweet cherry variety that originated in Vineland, Ontario. It is known for being a very productive tree, which may require thinning to maintain the best fruit quality. Tehranivee cherries are self-fertile, eliminating the need for a pollinizer. This variety blooms from mid to late in the season and is usually harvested in the late mid-season. Tehranivee cherries are appreciated for their rich flavor and large size.
White Gold
White Gold is a white sweet cherry variety developed at Cornell University (NY 13688) and released in 2001. Also known as Newfane, White Gold cherries are known for their large fruit size and moderate tolerance to rain cracking. This variety is self-fertile, making it a good option for home orchards or smaller plantings. White Gold cherries bloom from mid to late in the season and are usually harvested in mid-season. The fruit is prized for its sweet flavor and attractive appearance.
Coral Champagne
‘Coral Champagne’ is an early-to-midseason cherry that ripens 4–6 days before ‘Bing’. It was developed at the University of California and has recently gained popularity in the Pacific Northwest. The fruit is moderately large with firm flesh and a light mahogany to mahogany color when ripe. Pollinizers like ‘Black Pearl’ and ‘Burgundy Pearl’ are recommended.
Burgundy Pearl
‘Burgundy Pearl’ ripens 3–5 days before ‘Bing’ and provides a continuous early-season harvest alongside other varieties like ‘Chelan’. It produces large, crunchy, firm fruit with a mahogany color and a mild sweet-acid flavor. The variety offers moderate resistance to rain cracking and some bacterial canker resistance.
Benton
‘Benton’ is a self-fertile cherry that ripens 2–3 days before ‘Bing’. Known for its firm texture and excellent flavor, ‘Benton’ also has better rain-cracking resistance compared to ‘Bing’. However, its low productivity has limited its popularity. Despite its challenges, ‘Benton’ remains a good option for growers seeking a high-quality, early-season cherry.
Ebony Pearl
‘Ebony Pearl’ ripens in midseason, alongside ‘Bing’, but stands out for its very large, firm fruit with a strong, sweet, and tangy flavor. The variety offers good rain-cracking resistance and some resistance to bacterial canker. This is an excellent choice for growers looking for a high-quality midseason cherry.
Tamara
‘Tamara’ ripens 4–7 days after ‘Bing’ and produces large, firm cherries with a mahogany color. The fruit is attractive and has low potential for cracking and pitting, but it is important to harvest ‘Tamara’ early due to its weak stem attachment and rapid decline in quality if overripe. Uneven ripening can also be an issue. Suitable pollinizers include ‘Selah’ and ‘Skeena.’
Attika (Kordia)
‘Attika’, also known as ‘Kordia’, ripens 6–7 days after ‘Bing’ and fills an important late-season harvest window. The fruit is large, firm, and has a strong, pleasant flavor, with low susceptibility to rain cracking and impact damage, making it ideal for export markets. However, its flower primordia are susceptible to spring frosts. Recommended pollinizers are ‘Skeena’, ‘Benton’, and ‘Tamara’.
Royal Edie
‘Royal Edie’ ripens 9–12 days after ‘Bing’ and produces large, crunchy-firm cherries with a meaty texture. The fruit size alone makes it worth considering, although the flavor is mild and rain-cracking potential is moderately high. The tree is self-fertile and performs well on rootstocks like Gisela 6, Gisela 12, and Krymsk 6. Due to its firmness and size, ‘Royal Edie’ can be a valuable addition to a late-season cherry harvest.
Royal Helen
Similar to ‘Royal Edie’, ‘Royal Helen’ ripens 9–12 days after ‘Bing’ and produces large, firm cherries with a sweet-acid tang. The fruit size averages around 9-row, and the rain-cracking potential is moderately high, though somewhat lower than ‘Royal Edie’. The tree is self-fertile, and the recommended rootstocks are Gisela 6, Gisela 12, and Krymsk 6. ‘Royal Helen’ is a good choice for those looking for large, late-season cherries.
Skeena
‘Skeena’ is a high-quality cherry that ripens 12–14 days after ‘Bing’ and has become the most widely planted cultivar in the mid-late harvest season. The fruit is very large, firm, and holds up well during shipping. However, ‘Skeena’ is sensitive to heat stress, making it prone to sunburn on hanging branches, and rain cracking can also be an issue. The tree is self-fertile and performs well on rootstocks like Gisela 6, Gisela 12, Krymsk 5, and Krymsk 6.
Regina
‘Regina’ ripens 14–15 days after ‘Bing’ and is known for its excellent rain-crack resistance and ability to ship well. The fruit is large, firm, and has a mild, pleasant flavor. ‘Regina’ cherries are darker than most when ripe and consistently arrive in good condition at international markets. However, the tree is naturally low in productivity and benefits from a high-yielding rootstock like Cass. ‘Regina’ is also moderately resistant to powdery mildew.
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