Cherry Sweetheart

A late season dessert cherry, Prunus avium Sweetheart has the huge advantage of being self-fertile. It was raised in British Columbia, Canada, so is well suited to our climate. Beautiful white blossom is borne late, from April into May, so it will usually avoid late frosts. The glossy red cherries have a rich flavour and good texture, with a good balance of sweetness and acidity; they can be cooked and preserved, but will lose their shape. The tree is fairly vigorous, and crops unusually late, and for a long period, in August. Will need pruning to get a balance of newer and older wood, but only in summer; good for fan training against a warm wall. A heavy cropper with good disease-resistance, Cherry Sweetheart holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Sheltered, sunny site
Soil: Fertile, deep, well-drained, acid to neutral soil
Position: Full sun; avoid frost pockets
Pick: Late September
Keep: A few days once ripe
Hardiness: Hardy
Pollination: Self-fertile; Pollination Group 3
Uses: Eating