Sour Cherry: A Tart Treasure for Your Edible Landscape
If you’ve ever puckered your lips at a bright red cherry or savored a slice of homemade cherry pie, you’ve likely encountered the delightful tartness of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus). This perennial shrub has been winning over gardeners and bakers alike with its reliable fruit production and charming spring blooms.
What Exactly is a Sour Cherry?
Sour cherry is a multi-stemmed woody shrub that typically grows 13 to 16 feet tall, though it can sometimes reach greater heights or develop as a single-stemmed tree depending on growing conditions. Don’t let the name fool you – while these cherries are indeed tart, they’re absolutely perfect for cooking, baking, and preserving.
Where You’ll Find Sour Cherries Growing
Originally hailing from Europe and southwest Asia, sour cherry has made itself quite at home across North America. You’ll find established populations throughout much of Canada and the United States, thriving in areas from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, and from Washington state all the way to Georgia and everywhere in between.
Why Consider Growing Sour Cherry?
There are several compelling reasons why gardeners choose to add sour cherry to their landscapes:
- Reliable fruit production: Unlike their sweet cherry cousins, sour cherries are self-fertile and produce fruit consistently
- Beautiful spring display: Clusters of white flowers create a stunning show before the leaves emerge
- Wildlife benefits: The fruit provides food for birds and small mammals, though it makes up a relatively small portion of their overall diet
- Pollinator support: Spring blooms offer nectar for bees and other beneficial insects
- Versatile fruit: Perfect for pies, jams, dried fruit, and cooking applications
Perfect Garden Settings
Sour cherry fits beautifully into several types of landscapes:
- Edible gardens and food forests
- Cottage-style gardens
- Small orchards
- Naturalized areas where birds can enjoy the fruit
- Mixed shrub borders
Growing Conditions and Care
Sour cherry is relatively easy to grow when given the right conditions. Here’s what this hardy shrub needs to thrive:
Climate: Best suited for USDA hardiness zones 4-6, where it can get the cold winter chill it needs for proper fruit development.
Sunlight: Plant in full sun for the best flower and fruit production.
Soil: Prefers well-drained soil but is fairly adaptable to different soil types.
Planting tips: Spring is the ideal planting time. While sour cherries are self-fertile, planting multiple varieties can improve fruit production through cross-pollination.
Maintenance: Prune after harvest to maintain shape and remove any dead or crossing branches. Water regularly during dry periods, especially when fruit is developing.
A Word About Native Alternatives
While sour cherry isn’t native to North America, it’s not considered invasive and can coexist peacefully with native plants. However, if you’re looking to support local ecosystems with native alternatives, consider these options:
- American plum (Prunus americana)
- Wild cherry (Prunus serotina)
- Sand cherry (Prunus pumila)
- Choke cherry (Prunus virginiana)
These native species offer similar spring blooms and wildlife benefits while supporting local bird and insect populations even more effectively.
The Bottom Line
Sour cherry can be a delightful addition to the right garden, offering spring beauty, summer fruit, and year-round wildlife interest. Whether you’re drawn to homemade cherry preserves or simply enjoy the cottage garden charm of spring-flowering fruit trees, this adaptable shrub might just earn a place in your landscape. Just remember to save some cherries for the birds – they’ll thank you for it!
