Stella Cherry is one of the most popular and prolific sweet cherry varieties, known for its showy white flowers in the spring and exquisite, dark red, sweet fruit in the summer. It was the first sweet cherry that Luke tried in Missoula during the summer of 2016, and since then, it has become a favorite for its great flavor and reliable productivity.

Fruit Characteristics and Flavor

Stella cherries are large, heart-shaped, and boast a deep, rich red color when fully ripe. The flavor is consistently delicious, never disappointing our taste buds. The fruit can become very dark red, offering a sweet, satisfying taste perfect for fresh eating and other uses.

Cold Hardiness and Growing Conditions

While Stella is a reliable variety, its hardiness is best suited for zones 5 and above. In Missoula, which is USDA Zone 4a (with extreme winter lows between -25°F to -30°F), Stella still thrives. We rank its hardiness as tied with Rainier as the fifth-hardest sweet cherry variety, after Gold, Lapins, White Gold, and Black Gold. If you are in Zone 4, try to trap ground heat around the tree, especially if you experience temperatures below 0°F before December 1st. This will help the tree endure harsh winters.

Pollination and Self-Fertility

Stella was the first self-fertile cherry, making it an excellent choice for those who want reliable fruit without needing a second tree for pollination. It can also serve as a pollenizer for any of our other sweet cherries.

Rootstock and Growth

These Stella trees are grafted onto full-size Mazzard rootstock, which helps them reach a mature height of 5–7 feet. The Mazzard rootstock provides solid growth, allowing for strong, healthy trees.

Hardiness

Stella is hardy to Zone 5 and can handle colder temperatures, but for the best results in Zone 4, ensure the tree is protected from extreme winter cold, especially when temperatures drop below 0°F before December 1st.

Image courtesy of David Wright under CC 2.0.