Want to reliably grow sweet cherries in a cold climate? Well, now you can! While technically classified as tart cherries, these are the sweetest tart cherries we've ever tried here in Montana. They're delicious straight off the tree and hardy to Zone 2—some even thriving close to Zone 1!

A Legacy of Cold-Hardy Cherry Breeding

The original groundwork for breeding these cold-climate-adapted cherries began in the 1950s with Dr. Les Kerr (after whom the Kerr apple crab is named) and other pioneering researchers. Their mission was to create a sweet/tart cherry capable of surviving extreme cold.

At the University of Saskatchewan—one of the coldest locations in the world—they carried out controlled crosses between Prunus fruticosa (Mongolian cherry) and Prunus cerasus (European sour cherry). Decades of breeding efforts have resulted in cherries that are not only super hardy but also impressively sweet.

Superior Flavor and Color

Thanks to selection for high brix (sugar content), these cherries are much sweeter than your average tart cherry. Among the varieties, Juliet is perhaps slightly sweeter than Romeo. The cherries boast a dark burgundy color, influenced by the best-tasting European sour cherries used in the breeding process.

Planting and Pollination Tips

• Hardiness: Hardy to Zone 2 (even approaching Zone 1).

• Spacing: Space trees 8–10 ft apart. They stay compact, reaching 6–8 ft at maturity.

• Pollination: Although partially self-fertile, plant with Romeo for improved pollination.