Prunus Avium Sunburst Sweet Cherry

Prunus Avium Sunburst or Sweet Cherry Sunburst
Prunus Avium Sunburst was developed in 1965 at Summerland, British Columbia in Canada as a cross between Prunus Avium Stella and Van sweet cherries, and introduced to the UK in 1984. Sweet Cherry Sunburst is self-fertile tree and a heavy producer of large, sweet cherries. In mid-spring, the bare branches of this deciduous tree are covered with clusters of white blossoms, which will attract bees. This cultivar has been given the Perfect for Pollinators designation by the RHS. The large green leaves of summer are soon ornamented with large bunches of sweet cherries, so deep a red they appear nearly black, which are ready to pick in July. The fruits are firm, juicy, and aromatic, and are delicious eaten fresh. In autumn, the leaves turn orange and yellow for a bright show before they drop.

Height and Spread of Prunus Avium Sunburst
Prunus Avium Sunburst will grow to a mature height and spread of 4-8 metres in 10 to 20 years, but can easily be maintained at 2-3 metres tall with regular pruning.

How Hardy is Prunus Avium Sunburst?
Prunus Avium Sunburst is hardy in all parts of the UK and across northern Europe.

How to Use Prunus Avium Sunburst
Sweet Cherry Sunburst can be grown as a full-sized tree in a larger garden, or trained in a fan shape against a wall to maximize the shelter and warmth and ensure a good crop of cherries. Prunus Avium Sunburst can also be grown in a container and maintained as a small specimen on a patio or in a courtyard garden.

How to Care for Prunus Avium Sunburst
Plant Prunus Avium Sunburst in full sun in a sheltered position with a south or west-facing aspect, in any well-drained or moist but well-drained soil. It has some tolerance for pollution, so can be grown in city gardens. Sweet Cherry Sunburst is resistant to rain splitting. Trees should be pruned annually in early spring for new trees or midsummer for more established specimens to maintain an open crown for best fruit production. In country gardens, protect trees against deer, and when the cherries are ripe, cover the tree with netting to prevent the birds from taking your fruit! It is self-fertile, so can be grown without another cherry variety nearby for pollination.

Prunus Avium Sunburst is the perfect sweet cherry fruit tree for UK gardens. Hardy and self-fertile, its large crop of sweet cherries will be a treat every July!