Prunus avium ‘Stella’ – compact form
€30.00
Description
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Stella Cherry, Compact Stella Cherry
- Botanical Name: Prunus avium ‘Stella’
- Plant Type: Deciduous fruit tree
- Mature Height: 2.5–3.5m (compact form; can be kept smaller with pruning or on dwarfing rootstock)
- Mature Spread: 2–3m
- Flowering Period: April
- Flower Colour: White
- Fruit: Large, dark red, sweet cherries; juicy and rich; harvest late June to July
- Foliage: Mid-green, turning yellow and orange in autumn
- Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy throughout UK & Ireland)
- Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, moderately fertile
- Aspect: Full sun (essential for best fruiting and flavour)
- Maintenance: Moderate (annual pruning, netting for birds)
Description
Prunus avium ‘Stella’ is the go-to cherry tree for gardens big and small—compact, self-fertile, and reliably productive, it’s ideal for anyone who dreams of picking home-grown cherries straight from the tree. The compact form is perfect for smaller gardens, patios, or even large containers, and with its upright habit, it won’t take over your space.
In spring, ‘Stella’ covers itself in a froth of white blossom, attracting pollinators and lighting up the garden with a classic cherry display. By midsummer, the tree is heavy with large, glossy, dark red cherries—sweet, juicy, and perfect for eating fresh, baking, or making preserves. The fruit ripens in late June to July, offering one of the earliest and most generous harvests among cherries.
‘Stella’ is self-fertile, so you only need one tree for a good crop, but yields will be even higher if planted near other cherry varieties. It’s also known for its excellent disease resistance and adaptability to Irish and UK gardens, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil.
Caragh Garden Notebook
Planting:
Space trees 2–3m apart for compact forms. Plant bare-root or container-grown trees in late autumn to early spring (November–March). Choose a sunny, sheltered site with fertile, well-drained soil. Avoid frost pockets and waterlogged areas. Dig a generous hole, incorporate well-rotted compost, and plant at the same depth as in the nursery. Firm soil, water well, and mulch to retain moisture.
Space trees 2–3m apart for compact forms. Plant bare-root or container-grown trees in late autumn to early spring (November–March). Choose a sunny, sheltered site with fertile, well-drained soil. Avoid frost pockets and waterlogged areas. Dig a generous hole, incorporate well-rotted compost, and plant at the same depth as in the nursery. Firm soil, water well, and mulch to retain moisture.
Soil Preparation:
Prefers moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil; pH 6.0–7.0 is ideal. Improve poor soils with compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
Prefers moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil; pH 6.0–7.0 is ideal. Improve poor soils with compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
Pruning & Care:
Prune in late summer after fruiting to maintain shape and encourage healthy new growth. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Net the tree as fruit ripens to protect the crop from birds.
Prune in late summer after fruiting to maintain shape and encourage healthy new growth. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Net the tree as fruit ripens to protect the crop from birds.
Pollination:
‘Stella’ is fully self-fertile—no pollination partner required for fruit set, making it ideal for smaller gardens.
‘Stella’ is fully self-fertile—no pollination partner required for fruit set, making it ideal for smaller gardens.
Harvesting:
Pick cherries in late June to July when fully coloured and sweet. Harvest regularly for the best quality and flavour.
Pick cherries in late June to July when fully coloured and sweet. Harvest regularly for the best quality and flavour.
Pests & Problems:
Generally reliable and disease resistant. Watch for birds (netting recommended), aphids, and cherry fruit fly. Good hygiene and regular checks help keep trees healthy.
Generally reliable and disease resistant. Watch for birds (netting recommended), aphids, and cherry fruit fly. Good hygiene and regular checks help keep trees healthy.
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