Cherry (Prunus) Sunburst Half Standard Colt

Sunburst is a generous, dependable sweet cherry that makes a handsome feature tree. Bred in Canada, it is self-fertile, so a single tree crops well on its own, and it produces heavy harvests of large, sweet cherries in mid to late July. The fruit starts rosy red and ripens to a deep, almost black red, with soft, juicy flesh and a rich flavour, perfect for eating straight from the branch. White spring blossom is a magnet for bees, and the foliage turns warm orange-red in autumn. It is also a good pollinator for other cherries, including self-sterile varieties such as Penny.

This half standard has a clear trunk of around 1.2m beneath a well-branched crown. It grows into a classic, freestanding orchard-style tree of around 4m on Colt rootstock, with room to mow or plant beneath, which suits lawns, larger gardens and small orchards. Plant in full sun in a sheltered spot, in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, and stake firmly for the first few years. Sunburst resists fruit splitting better than many cherries, and steady watering through dry spells helps keep the crop in top condition. Net against birds as the fruit ripens where you can, and 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.