Cherry 'Porthos'

$89.99
Title

Discover the extraordinary Porthos Cherry, a compact marvel of the Musketeer Series that brings the orchard to even the smallest spaces. This upright, multi-stemmed shrub is a spring masterpiece, draped in nodding white flowers that give way to heavy clusters of glossy, dark red cherries. Its sophisticated, dark green foliage provides a lush, dense screen throughout the summer before putting on a fiery autumn show of brilliant orange and red leaves. Perfectly sized for a container on your patio or as a low-maintenance, edible hedge, it’s as ornamental as it is productive.

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Plant Details

Difficulty:

Easy

Zone:

2-7

Watering:

Medium

Years To Bear:

2–4

Plant Type:

Fruit Bush (Dwarf Sour Cherry)

Light:

Full Sun

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Porthos Dwarf Sour Cherry, Porthos Bush Cherry, Musketeer Series Porthos

Scientific Name:

Prunus cerasus 'Porthos' (often categorized under the dwarf sour cherry group Prunus x kerrasis)

Growth Details:

Mature Size: 2 metres (6 feet) tall and wide.

Growth Habit: Upright, multi-stemmed shrub.

Form: Compact and rounded.

Growth Rate: Medium; reaches full maturity in 5–7 years.

Longevity: 20–30 years.

Features:

Unique Genetics: Grows on its own roots, allowing it to sucker and regenerate naturally.

Breakthrough Variety: Part of the Musketeer Series from the University of Saskatchewan, bred for the harshest prairie climates.

Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and songbirds.

Uses: Fresh eating, pies, preserves, wine, and freezing

Environmental Needs:

Exposure: Full Sun.

Soil Preferences: Prefers rich, loamy, well-drained soil.

Soil Tolerance: Adaptable to various types, including clay-based sites if drainage is adequate.

Watering: Regular watering is essential during establishment and fruit swell; avoid overwatering to prevent fruit splitting

Care Guide

Plant Care

Care:

Light Requirements: Needs full sun (6+ hours) for the best fruit sweetness and yield.

Moisture Requirements: Requires consistently moist, well-drained soil; avoid waterlogged conditions.

Maintenance: Low maintenance; heavy pruning is rarely needed, but selective thinning can improve airflow.

Fertilization: Top-dress with organic compost in early spring to provide all necessary nutrients.

Tips For Success:

Protection: Netting is crucial, just as the fruit turns red to protect the harvest from birds.

Harvesting: Allow fruit to ripen on the bush for the sweetest dessert-quality flavour fully.

Pruning: Prune crossover branches to keep the center open and productive.

Mulching: Use bark mulch or compost to suppress weeds and maintain moisture.

Planting Considerations:

Best Time To Plant: Spring or autumn.

Spacing: 5–6 feet apart for individual plants; 3 feet apart for a productive hedge.

Location Tips: Excellent for patio containers or small yards where space is limited.

Fruit Profile

Size:

Large (up to 6 grams per cherry).

Colour:

Medium to Dark Red skin.

Texture:

Firm, juicy, and meaty.

Flavour:

Exceptional sweetness with a lovely balanced acidity; sweet enough for fresh dessert eating

Harvest Time:

Early to mid-August

Pollination Requirements:

Self-fertile; only one plant is needed to set a heavy crop.
Fruit Profile