Flavourful cherries on compact, cold hardy trees that grow as shrubs, reaching only 6-10 feet tall. The Romance series of dwarf hardy cherry shrubs was released by the University of Saskatchewan in 2004, after 50 years of traditional plant breeding. They crossed the small stature and cold hardiness of Mongolian sour cherries with the fruit quality of European sour cherries. The Romance series of dwarf hardy sour cherries combine the sweet-tart flavour of sour cherries with improved sugar content, making them versatile for fresh eating, baking, juicing, wine and preserves. These sour cherries actually have a higher sugar content than sweet cherries, like Bing, but it's the acidity (citric acid) that leads us to perceive them as tart. Sour cherries hold their classic cherry flavour despite high-heat cooking, making them the ideal choice for pies and other baked goods, as well as preserves. Sour cherries are what is traditionally used in cooked cherry recipes. Prized for their exceptional cold tolerance (-40ºC, -40ºF), they are easy to grow, requiring minimal care. It is recommended to grow these small trees as shrubs, allowing suckering, for a fuller plant and higher fruit yield. These plants are on their own rootstock, so suckers will be the same cultivar and produce the same fruit. Though you only need one variety for fruit production (they are self-fertile), cross-pollination with another variety can increase fruit set and fruit size. The Romance series includes these four cultivars: Cupid: Fruit is dark red to almost black. Sweet-tart. Firm flesh. Best for fresh eating and processing. Excellent for canning whole. Blooms 5 days later than others - decreased risk of frost injury to blossoms. Latest to ripen. Largest fruit: 6.5g. Moderate productivity (70lbs/plant). Grows 8-10' tall. Valentine: The only variety with bright red fruit - makes it the best for dehydrating (dried fruit will be brighter in colour than the other varieties). Vigorous, medium suckering and generally grows taller than other varieties. Grows 8-10' tall. Tart flavour, great for baking and juice. Fruit size: 4.5g. Large shrubs are very productive. Romeo: Dark red fruit. Best for fresh eating and wine or juice. Sweet-tart. Bears fruit at an earlier age than others. Grows 6-8' tall. Fruit size: 4.0g. High yield (110lbs/plant). Juliet: Dark red fruit. Best for fresh eating and processing. One of the sweetest and best tasting - very good for fresh eating. Mild, sweet-tart. Grows 8-10' tall. Fruit size: 5.0g. Blooms three days earlier than others - increased risk of frost injury. High yield (90lbs/plant). Common names: Cherry, Dwarf Hardy Cherry, Dwarf Sour Cherry, Hardy Cherry Bush/Shrub Edible: FruitHarvest timing: Late summer Scientific name: Prunus fruticosa x cerasusLight requirements: Full sun to part sunFull-grown size: 6-10' tall (space 5-8' apart)Hardiness: Zone 3Pollination: Self-fertileWildlife: Attracts pollinators and birdsOrigin: University of Saskatchewan. Released from 2003-2008.Noteworthy: Very cold hardy. Flavourful cherries on a compact trees that grow as shrubs.
