Cherry Tree (Sweetheart)

Sweetheart Cherry keeps the good times rolling long after the main cherry season winds down. When most sweet cherries are finished, Sweetheart is just getting started—offering firm, dark red fruit that lets growers keep harvesting while others are packing it in.

The fruit is dark red inside and out, with a firm texture and a clean, balanced sweetness. One of Sweetheart’s defining traits is its hang time—fruit can remain on the tree longer than many other varieties without rapid softening, allowing more flexibility at harvest.

On Mazzard F 12-1, Sweetheart develops a strong framework and responds well to training and summer pruning. While naturally vigorous, most home growers find it easy to maintain at a comfortable size while enjoying consistent late-season production.

Overview

• Dark red sweet cherry with firm texture
• Late-season ripening that extends harvest
• Excellent on-tree holding and harvest flexibility
• Self-fertile; no pollination partner required
• Reliable producer once established

Growing Details

Latin Name: Prunus avium ‘Sweetheart’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Chill Requirement: Approx. 700–800 hours
Hardiness: USDA Zone 5–9
Rootstock: Mazzard F 12-1
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: Often maintained at 12–16 ft with pruning; capable of larger size if unpruned
Bloom Time: Mid- to late-season
Flowering Time: Mid-season flowering relative to other sweet cherries
Ripening Time: Late season; typically after Lapins
Pollination: Self-fertile; does not require a pollination partner
Pests & Diseases: Standard sweet cherry considerations; good airflow and canopy management recommended
Yield: Consistent and productive once established

Additional Notes

• Grower’s Insight: Sweetheart is especially valued for its hang time. Being able to leave fruit on the tree longer without losing firmness makes harvest timing far more forgiving.
• Regional Insight: Performs well in temperate regions, including the Pacific Northwest, where its later harvest helps spread workload and extend the fresh cherry season.
• Annual summer pruning helps control vigor and maintain fruit quality.
• Explore more cherries in our collection: Cherry Trees