It’s hard to choose which is the greater benefit of cherry trees: the ruby-red fruit or all that beautiful white blossom. Fortunately, no need to pick. You get both. The blossom appears on bare branches in late spring, followed by delicate green leaves and fruit that you can pick all through July and August.
A cherry tree is an investment. They're best planted up when they're dormant (have lost their leaves and are not actively growing) between autumn and spring. While they'll be so busy growing healthy roots that you’re unlikely to get fruit the first year after it's planted, take care of them and they’ll reward you with fruit ever after.
There are many different varieties of cherry. This one, ‘Regina’, is well suited to growing in pots. It will stay compact, so it’s an excellent option for any type of outdoor space, including balconies and patios. It will do best somewhere sunny.
It’s important to stay on top of the watering. Keep the soil moist. If it dries out too much the fruit can drop before it’s finished growing. Keep an especially close eye in very hot weather. Make sure excess water can drain from the bottom of the pot. From spring to the end of summer, give your plant afeedevery week, to give it the nutrients it needs to make fruit.
At the end of summer give your tree a goodpruneto remove any dead growth, keep its size compact and neaten up its shape. A well pruned tree will grow more fruit and look more attractive.
Did you know?
Young, a town in New South Wales, Australia, is known as ‘the cherry capital of Australia’. Somewhere to holiday if you’re particularly cherry-keen.
Bright light
Easy care
Pollinator friendly
Moist soil
Feeding
