Cherry Tree (Rainier)

Rainier Cherry combines the sweetness and beauty of yellow cherries with the eating quality growers expect from top dessert varieties. The result is a cherry that feels refined rather than bold—sweet, smooth, and unmistakably premium.

The fruit ripens mid-season, developing its characteristic red blush only as sugars fully mature. Flesh is firm and juicy with gentle acidity, making Rainier especially satisfying when eaten fresh off the tree. Harvest timing matters here; patience is rewarded with noticeably better flavor and texture.

Overview

• Premium yellow sweet cherry with red blush
• Sweet, balanced flavor and firm texture
• Mid-season ripening following Bing
• Excellent fresh-eating quality
• Pollination required for reliable crops

Growing Details

Latin Name: Prunus avium ‘Rainier’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Chill Requirement: Approx. 700–900 hours
Hardiness: USDA Zone 5–9
Rootstock: Mazzard F 12-1
Bearing Age: Typically 2-3 years
Size at Maturity: Often maintained at 12–16 ft with pruning; capable of larger size if unpruned
Flowering Time Mid-season flowering relative to other sweet cherries
Ripening Time: Mid-season; typically early to mid-summer depending on region
Pollination: Pollination required; plant a compatible sweet cherry variety within 20–30 feet
Pests & Diseases: Standard sweet cherry considerations; airflow and canopy management are important
Yield: Productive once established under good growing conditions

Additional Notes

• Grower’s Insight: Rainier’s signature blush is more than cosmetic—it’s a visual cue that sugars have fully developed. Letting fruit color up completely makes a noticeable difference in eating quality.
• Regional Insight: Performs especially well in the Pacific Northwest and other temperate regions where moderate summer heat supports steady ripening and flavor development.
• Annual pruning helps maintain size, improve airflow, and support consistent fruit quality.
• Best enjoyed fresh; careful harvest preserves texture and finish.