Cherry (Sweet), Stella

Stella Cherry is a popular sweet cherry variety known for its deep red, juicy fruit, excellent flavor, and unique self-fertile nature. Originating in Canada, Stella cherries ripen in mid to late June, producing large, heart-shaped fruit with a firm texture and sweet taste, perfect for fresh eating, desserts, and canning. Reaching a mature height of 15-25 feet, Stella also serves as an excellent pollinator for other cherry trees in the orchard. This reliable, hardy tree blooms in early spring with clusters of fragrant white flowers and is well-suited to USDA Zones 5-8.

Key Characteristics

Sweet, Juicy Fruit with Firm Texture
Stella cherries are prized for their large, dark red fruit with a deliciously sweet and juicy bite. Their firm texture makes them perfect for fresh snacking, baking, and canning, adding versatility to their culinary uses.

Self-Fertile Variety
Unlike most cherry varieties, Stella is self-fertile, meaning it does not require another cherry tree to produce fruit. This makes it ideal for smaller gardens or single plantings while also enhancing productivity in larger orchards.

Mid-Season Harvest
Stella cherries ripen in mid to late June, providing a reliable harvest during peak cherry season and extending the cherry-picking window when paired with early or late-season varieties.

Beautiful Spring Blooms
In early spring, Stella Cherry trees are covered in clusters of white blossoms, creating an ornamental display that attracts pollinators and enhances the visual appeal of the landscape.

Cold-Hardy and Adaptable
Thriving in USDA Zones 5-8, Stella is a resilient cherry tree, well-suited to a variety of climates. Its hardy nature makes it a low-maintenance and productive choice for diverse growing regions.

Product Details

• Sun Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-draining, loamy soil with moderate moisture
• Bloom Time: Early spring (April)
• Bloom Color: White
• Fruit Qualities: Large, deep red, sweet, firm, juicy
• Fruit Uses: Fresh eating, desserts, canning, baking
• Fruit Ripening Month: Mid-season (mid to late June)
• Chill Hours: 600-800 hours
• Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile (also serves as a pollinator for other varieties)
• Mature Height: 15-25 feet
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-8

Stella Cherry is a versatile, self-fertile tree that offers sweet, flavorful fruit, reliable yields, and beautiful spring blooms, making it an ideal addition to home orchards and gardens.