tree

North Star Cherry

Name: North Star Cherry
Brand: Prunus
Availability: InStock

Prunus 'North Star'

$134.95

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

108 inches

Width

84 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Medium

Humidity

Moderate; good air circulation needed

Lifespan

15-20 years

Native To

Cultivated origin

Toxicity

Leaves, stems, and pits are toxic if ingested.

The Story

Plant Bio

'North Star' is a dwarf sour cherry tree (Prunus cerasus type) developed by the University of Minnesota. It is prized for its cold hardiness, compact size, and heavy production of high-quality pie cherries. This cultivar is naturally dwarf, making it ideal for home gardens and smaller spaces. It is self-pollinating and produces large, bright red, juicy fruit perfect for pies, preserves, and sauces.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a lovely display of white spring blossoms and has an attractive, compact form suitable for small gardens and even large containers. The bright red fruit adds to its visual appeal in summer.

A highly productive source of sour cherries for home cooking, baking, and preserving. Its small size makes harvesting easy without a ladder, and it is self-fertile, so only one tree is needed.

Spring flowers provide an early source of nectar and pollen for bees and other beneficial insects. The fruit, if not protected, is a favorite food source for robins, cedar waxwings, and other birds.

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Planting

How to Grow

Choose a site with full sun and excellent air circulation.
Ensure soil is fertile and well-drained. Avoid low spots.
Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots without bending.
Plant the tree so the graft union is 2-3 inches above the soil line.
Backfill with soil, water well, and mulch.
Prune to establish a strong framework in the first few years.

Pro Tip

Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting. Harvest in the morning when cherries are cool for best quality.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Maintain a consistent watering schedule, especially during fruit development.
Prune annually to maintain an open center for light and air penetration.
Monitor for pests and diseases and act promptly.
Test soil pH and amend to be between 6.0 and 7.0.

Don't

Don't plant in heavy, wet clay soil.
Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which promotes leaves over fruit.
Don't allow weeds or grass to compete at the base of the tree.
Never use herbicides near the shallow root system.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Harvest
Prune
Spray

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Productive home orchard treeEdible landscape specimenContainer fruit tree for patios

Companion Plants

Allium Tanacetum vulgare Lavandula Symphytum officinale Melissa officinalis

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

North Star Cherry questions

What zones can North Star Cherry grow in?

North Star Cherry is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is North Star Cherry deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse North Star Cherry, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does North Star Cherry bloom?

North Star Cherry typically blooms in mid-spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does North Star Cherry need full sun?

North Star Cherry does best in full sun (6+ hours).