Family

Rosaceae

Description

Montmorency Cherry (Prunus cerasus) is the most widely planted sour cherry cultivar in North America, prized for its bright red fruit with firm, tart flesh, which is ideal for pies, preserves, and baking. The tree is small and rounded, with showy white blossoms in the spring followed by a midsummer harvest. Unlike sweet cherries, it is self-fertile and more tolerant of cold, making it a reliable fruiting tree in cooler regions.

 

The species P. cerasus is native to southeastern Europe and western Asia, where it is believed to have arisen as a natural hybrid between sweet cherry (P. avium) and ground cherry (P. fruticosa). ‘Montmorency’ originated in France and thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, particularly in temperate climates with cold winters and mild summers.

Bloom Time

April