Cherry (Prunus) Summer Sun Colt

Summer Sun is a dependable British-bred cherry, raised at the John Innes research station in Norwich, and it holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It is known for cropping reliably even after a dull summer, and its blossom stands up well to frost, which makes it a great choice for cooler or more exposed gardens. White spring flowers, popular with bees, are followed in late July by generous crops of large, dark red cherries with a sweet flavour and firm, juicy flesh.

Summer Sun is partially self-fertile, so it will produce fruit on its own, but it gives heavier crops with a pollination partner nearby, such as Stella or Lapins. It is also a good pollinator for other cherries. Grown on Colt rootstock, it forms a naturally compact, upright-spreading tree of around 4m, which annual pruning keeps smaller, and it is an excellent variety for fan-training against a sunny wall. Plant in full sun in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, stake firmly while the tree establishes, and net against birds as the fruit ripens. Prune in summer after harvest rather than in winter, to reduce the risk of silver leaf and bacterial canker. Fully hardy (RHS H6). The fruit is delicious, but the stones and leaves shouldn't be eaten, so keep those out of reach of children and pets.

Each tree is hand-selected before dispatch.

Available from Pengelly Garden Centre.