Cherries are a fantastic addition to gardens of all sizes.

Many cherry tree varieties offer visual appeal throughout the year, from spring blossoms and vibrant fruit to distinctive bark and foliage that transforms into shades of orange, red, and yellow in autumn.

Both sweet and sour (morello) cherries can be cultivated, with each variety having it's own care requirements. These trees can be grown in containers, as standalone specimens, or trained against walls in a fan shape. While they do require some attention and care, the reward of harvesting fresh cherries makes the effort worthwhile.

How to Grow Cherries: A Comprehensive Guide

Cherries are a beautiful addition to any garden, offering stunning spring blossoms, colorful fruit, and vibrant foliage in the fall. Whether you grow sweet or sour varieties, each type requires slightly different care, but all are rewarding to cultivate. These trees can be grown in containers, as standalone trees, or trained against walls. Although they require some maintenance, the effort is well worth it when you can harvest fresh cherries from your garden.

Where to Grow Cherry Trees

Cherry trees thrive in a warm, sheltered, and frost-free environment, with well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Morello cherry varieties, being smaller, can tolerate some shade and can be grown against a north-facing wall. These varieties are self-fertile, meaning they don’t need another tree for pollination.

For sweet cherries, larger spaces are needed, and they can be planted as free-standing trees. Alternatively, dwarf varieties can be grown in containers or trained to fan shape against a warm wall. Sweet cherries may require a pollination partner, so make sure to check the specific needs of the variety you choose.

Planting Cherry Trees

Cherry trees can be planted year-round if pot-grown, but bare-root trees, available in autumn and winter, offer a wider variety and are usually cheaper. When planting bare-root cherries, choose a spot with well-prepared soil. Dig a square planting hole and place the tree at the same depth it was growing in the field. Fill the hole with soil and water it thoroughly. Depending on the tree's size, you may need to stake the young tree for support.

Caring for Cherry Trees

Proper care at the start of the growing season is vital, as cherries bloom early. Apply a layer of well-rotted compost or manure around the roots in February and feed the trees with a general-purpose fertilizer until the end of March. Ensure the trees are watered well during early growth. If frost is expected, cover the blossoms with horticultural fleece to protect them. In summer, you might want to net your trees to protect the cherries from birds, or you can simply share the bounty with them.

Pruning and Training Cherry Trees

Cherry trees can be grown as bush-type open trees or trained against walls in a fan shape. Sweet cherries typically fruit on wood from the previous season, while Morello cherries bear fruit on one-year-old wood. Pruning is essential to remove dead, diseased branches and to shape the tree, ensuring it maintains healthy growth. Always prune in the right season: avoid winter pruning, as it can expose the tree to diseases like silver leaf and canker. Prune young trees in spring, while established trees can be pruned in summer if necessary.

Dealing with Cherry Tree Problems

Cherry trees are susceptible to pests like cherry blackfly, fruit fly, and caterpillars. Later, netting the trees can help protect the fruit from birds. Diseases to watch for include canker, blossom wilt, brown rot, and silver leaf disease. Silver leaf disease can be managed by pruning in spring or summer, before the tree is stressed by winter.