{"title":"Fruit for Brandy \u0026 Liqueurs","description":"\u003cp\u003eFruit with the aroma and flavor to carry a fruit brandy or a homemade liqueur. Pear, plum, cherry and black currant are the classics, and every one of them has a variety here that takes a cold winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdetails class=\"mft-more\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eMore about fruit for brandy and liqueurs\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e is the Williams pear behind Poire Williams, and it's rated to zone 3b. For plums, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/mirabelle-de-bitterroot-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eMirabelle de Bitterroot\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/italian-plum\"\u003eItalian\u003c\/a\u003e both have the intense, sweet flesh plum brandy wants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor cherry liqueur and kirsch-style spirits, look at \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry\"\u003eEvan's Bali\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/balaton-tart-cherry\"\u003eBalaton\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/romeo-dwarf-cherry\"\u003eRomeo\u003c\/a\u003e. Black currants make cassis, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/titania-black-currant-bundle-of-2\"\u003eTitania\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ben-lomond-black-currant-bundle-of-2\"\u003eBen Lomond\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/consort-black-currant\"\u003eConsort\u003c\/a\u003e are our picks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA few less obvious ones: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeyberry-bundle-of-4\"\u003ehoneyberry\u003c\/a\u003e makes a great liqueur, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/mountain-ash-bundle-of-2\"\u003emountain ash\u003c\/a\u003e (rowan) berries go into a traditional bitter liqueur, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/binet-rouge-apple\"\u003eBinet Rouge\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/belle-de-boskoop-apple\"\u003eBelle de Boskoop\u003c\/a\u003e apples are good for apple brandy. Our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/wine\"\u003ewine\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hard-cider\"\u003ehard cider\u003c\/a\u003e pages cover fermenting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat pear is used for pear brandy?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBartlett, also called Williams. It's the pear in Poire Williams, and ours is rated to zone 3b.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat black currant is best for cassis?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTitania, Ben Lomond and Consort all work. Titania and Consort also resist white pine blister rust.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat plum is best for plum brandy?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMirabelle de Bitterroot and Italian are the two we'd use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"bartlett-pear","title":"Bartlett Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bartlett Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), partially self-fertile, so a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a European pear), and it ripens about Sep 7 to Sep 21 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 9. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Our notes have it taking -41°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (500 to 1,500). Published figures disagree, so treat this as a middle estimate. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#bartlett-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePartially Self-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Bartlett sets some fruit alone but crops best with a partner like D'Anjou, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-russett-bosc\"\u003eBosc\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e. Do not rely on it with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-sensation-bartlett-pear\"\u003eRed Sensation Bartlett\u003c\/a\u003e (the same tree genetically) or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/a\u003e. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/w0cjbu6yrtjetw48n6ga9edg4vgxoe\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/harrow-sweet-pear\"\u003eHarrow Sweet Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/karls-favorite-pear\"\u003eKarl's Favorite Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danjou-pear\"\u003eD'Anjou Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 26 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 7 to Sep 21 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCanning and freezing (10\/10), brandy and liqueurs (10\/10), fresh eating (9\/10), drying (9\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Regular Grade or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThe most widely grown pear in the world, Bartlett doesn’t need much of an introduction. Its taste has stood the test of time—and its trees have too, at least sometimes. One Bartlett reportedly withstood -41°F in Minnesota, although we think that may have been an anomaly (maybe due to this tree's deep soils and perhaps good airflow). We’ve also seen Bartlett perish in its second year after hitting -38°F in Fortine, MT on 1\/13\/24.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eFlavor, History \u0026amp; Growth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eFirst grown in 1797, Bartlett’s sweet and juicy flavor has made it a favorite for centuries—especially when left to ripen on the tree, which most commercial Bartletts never get the chance to do. It’s also notoriously fast-growing, which means you won’t be waiting as long for your first harvest compared to other pear varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003ePollination \u0026amp; Site Considerations\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eIf you’re cramped on space, Bartlett is partially self-fertile and can be planted on its own—though, as with most fruit trees, you’ll get more fruit with a partner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eCold hardy to -35°F, Bartlett should do well in most of the warmer valleys in Western Montana (Missoula, Bitterroot, Flathead, Mission), but it’s probably not hardy enough for Eastern MT.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eTree Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThese trees are grafted onto OHxF87 and are available in several sizes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Bartlett pear” by Rhododendrites, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bartlett_pear.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Williamsbirne durch die Mitte aufgeschnitten” by Staycoolandbegood, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Williamsbirne_durch_die_Mitte_aufgeschnitten.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain; “Pear Blossom Williams Christ” by El tommo, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pear_Blossom_Williams_Christ.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Klostergarten Seligenstadt Williams Christ Pear Tree” by Alexander Klink, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Klostergarten_Seligenstadt_Williams_Christ_Pear_Tree.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Organic Bartlett Pears” by Joe Mabel, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Organic_Bartlett_Pears.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 3.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Bartlett Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Bartlett Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Bartlett Pear is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. Bartlett sets some fruit alone but crops best with a partner like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danjou-pear\"\u003eD'Anjou\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-russett-bosc\"\u003eBosc\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e. Do not rely on it with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-sensation-bartlett-pear\"\u003eRed Sensation Bartlett\u003c\/a\u003e (the same tree genetically) or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/a\u003e. Partners we carry include Flemish Beauty Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/harrow-sweet-pear\"\u003eHarrow Sweet Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/karls-favorite-pear\"\u003eKarl's Favorite Pear\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Bartlett Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Bartlett Pear hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our notes have it taking -41°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Bartlett Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 1,500. Published figures for it disagree, so treat that as a middle estimate. Most sources say about 800 hours, but they range from 500 to 1,500. In mild-winter areas bloom can get sparse and drawn out. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#bartlett-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Bartlett Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 7 to Sep 21 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Bartlett Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Bartlett Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Bartlett Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Bartlett Pear are canning and freezing (10\/10), brandy and liqueurs (10\/10), fresh eating (9\/10), drying (9\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Bartlett Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Bartlett Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. Regular Grade (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42539489558594,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Larger \u0026 More Branching) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42539489591362,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/bartlett-pear-ripe.jpg?v=1791615017"},{"product_id":"ben-lomond-black-currant-bundle-of-2","title":"Ben Lomond Black Currant (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ben Lomond Black Currant is a currant shrub rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), and self-fertile, so one plant can crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Our notes have it taking -50°F. We're listing it conservatively until we have more data. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 2,000 hours (1,900 to 2,200). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#ben-lomond-black-currant-bundle-of-2\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 6 of 7 (late), very early spring here. Ben Lomond sets fruit on its own. It flowers late, which helps it avoid spring frost; another black currant nearby can still boost the crop. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/currant-gooseberry-pollination-chart\"\u003eCurrant \u0026amp; Gooseberry Pollination Chart\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJuice and sweet cider (9\/10), sauce and butter (9\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), wine (7\/10), brandy and liqueurs (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 6-12\" or 1-2 ft or 2-3 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThis is our second year growing Ben Lomond currants, and we were actually able to taste the fruit already. The fruit is quite good, perhaps the sweetest of all black currants we’ve ever tried.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eFlavor Comparison \u0026amp; Use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThese will be far less sweet than the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montana-black-currant-bundle-of-2\"\u003eMontana Black Currants\u003c\/a\u003e, though that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, we’ve heard from some of our customers that Montana Black Currants make the \u003cem\u003ebest\u003c\/em\u003e jam. These would complement them quite well, or they could simply be purchased on their own, thanks to their nice, large, sweet berries. They’d likely be great in baked goods, too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eCold Hardiness \u0026amp; Plant Size\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eBen Lomond is reported hardy to -50°F, but we're listing it conservatively at -40°F until we have more data. They're roughly 1–2 feet tall and very well rooted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions: white pine blister rust quarantine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eBlack currants (\u003cem\u003eRibes nigrum\u003c\/em\u003e and its hybrids) are an alternate host for white pine blister rust. We \u003cstrong\u003ecannot ship this plant to Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia, or West Virginia\u003c\/strong\u003e, where its sale or importation is prohibited by state law.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePermit or local restrictions also apply in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Michigan and New Jersey (state permit required) and New York (prohibited outside designated fruiting-currant districts unless the cultivar is certified rust-resistant). Several other states restrict planting only within specific counties or townships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Ben Lomond Black Currant\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Ben Lomond Black Currant need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Ben Lomond Black Currant is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Ben Lomond sets fruit on its own. It flowers late, which helps it avoid spring frost; another black currant nearby can still boost the crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Ben Lomond Black Currant?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Ben Lomond Black Currant hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our notes have it taking -50°F. We're listing it conservatively until we have more data. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Ben Lomond Black Currant need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 2,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 1,900 and 2,200. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. One of the highest-chill currants, around 2,000 hours. That's easy in Montana, and it's a late bloomer too, which helps it dodge frost. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#ben-lomond-black-currant-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Ben Lomond Black Currant good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Ben Lomond Black Currant are juice and sweet cider (9\/10), sauce and butter (9\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Ben Lomond Black Currant?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Ben Lomond Black Currant now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Ben Lomond Black Currant ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 6-12\" or 1-2 ft or 2-3 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"6-12\"","offer_id":42547414106178,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"1-2 ft.","offer_id":42547414138946,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2-3 ft.","offer_id":42547414171714,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/ben-lomand-black-currant-fruit.webp?v=1789019191"},{"product_id":"consort-black-currant","title":"Consort Black Currant (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Consort Black Currant is a currant shrub rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and partially self-fertile, so a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Our notes have it taking -50°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (500 to 1,400). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#consort-black-currant\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePartially Self-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very early spring here. Consort can set fruit alone, but reports on its self-fertility vary, so plant another black currant such as Titania nearby for a dependable crop. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pink-champagne-currant-bundle-of-3\"\u003ePink Champagne Currant (Bundle of 3)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-lake-currant-bundle-of-2\"\u003eRed Lake Currant (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/titania-black-currant-bundle-of-2\"\u003eTitania Black Currant (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-velvey-gooseberry-bundle-of-3\"\u003eBlack Velvet Gooseberry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/currant-gooseberry-pollination-chart\"\u003eCurrant \u0026amp; Gooseberry Pollination Chart\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJams and jellies (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), brandy and liqueurs (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 1-2 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsort black currants are sweet with slight acidity and a nice fruity flavor. These are slightly more tart than the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ben-lomond-black-currant-bundle-of-2\"\u003eBen Lomond black currants\u003c\/a\u003e which are quite sweet, certainly more so than the Montana Black. Hardy to -50F. Zone 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 2027 Consort black currants are on average 1-2 ft. tall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions: white pine blister rust quarantine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eBlack currants (\u003cem\u003eRibes nigrum\u003c\/em\u003e and its hybrids) are an alternate host for white pine blister rust. We \u003cstrong\u003ecannot ship this plant to Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia, or West Virginia\u003c\/strong\u003e, where its sale or importation is prohibited by state law.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePermit or local restrictions also apply in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Michigan and New Jersey (state permit required). Consort is a rust-immune cultivar, which may qualify it for the resistant-cultivar exemption under New York law. New York buyers should confirm with NYSDAM before ordering. Several other states restrict planting only within specific counties or townships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Consort Black Currant\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Consort Black Currant need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Consort Black Currant is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. Consort can set fruit alone, but reports on its self-fertility vary, so plant another black currant such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/titania-black-currant-bundle-of-2\"\u003eTitania\u003c\/a\u003e nearby for a dependable crop. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pink-champagne-currant-bundle-of-3\"\u003ePink Champagne Currant\u003c\/a\u003e (Bundle of 3), \u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-lake-currant-bundle-of-2\"\u003eRed Lake Currant\u003c\/a\u003e (Bundle of 2), Titania Black Currant (Bundle of 2).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Consort Black Currant?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Consort Black Currant hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our notes have it taking -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Consort Black Currant need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 1,400. That comes from published figures for this variety. Montana winters cover that several times over, so chill is never the limit here. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#consort-black-currant\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Consort Black Currant good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Consort Black Currant are jams and jellies (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), brandy and liqueurs (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Consort Black Currant?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Consort Black Currant now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Consort Black Currant ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 1-2 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"1-2 ft.","offer_id":42547463651394,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/consort-black-currant-fruit.webp?v=1789019810"},{"product_id":"evans-bali-tart-cherry","title":"Evan's Bali Tart Cherry (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evan's Bali Tart Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 2b in our ratings (winters to -45°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a tart cherry), and it ripens about Aug 6 to Aug 17 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvans cherry, Bali cherry (Prunus cerasus)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 2 only (winters to -45°F). Our notes have it taking -42°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (600 to 1,100). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#evans-bali-tart-cherry\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Evans Bali is self-fertile, so one tree will crop on its own. It blooms with Montmorency and Meteor if you want to plant more than one. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/meteor-tart-cherry\"\u003eMeteor Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fe-tart-cherry\"\u003eFE Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/balaton-tart-cherry\"\u003eBalaton Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e and 1 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/tart-cherry-pollination-map\"\u003eTart Cherry Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 6 to Aug 17 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePies and baking (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), drying (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"75\" data-end=\"93\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"94\" data-end=\"288\"\u003ePerhaps the most cold hardy of all tart cherries, Evan’s Bali is a prolific bearer of decently sized (roughly 1” diameter) cherries that are sweeter than most of the other tart cherry varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"290\" data-end=\"314\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"315\" data-end=\"499\"\u003eHardy to zone 2b because of their ability to withstand -42F temps near Bozeman, although surely these have survived colder temps on the Canadian prairie’s where the tree was discovered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"501\" data-end=\"522\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"523\" data-end=\"627\"\u003eThese Evan’s Bali’s are clonally propagated from root suckers and are therefore identical to the parent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"629\" data-end=\"653\"\u003eNotable Traits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"654\" data-end=\"886\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eNoted for their ability to withstand long, advective frost events including polar high pressure systems that affect the region for days on end, their flower buds’ hardiness, the prolific bearing nature of the tree, and their flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Evan's Bali Tart Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Evan's Bali Tart Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Evan's Bali Tart Cherry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Evans Bali is self-fertile, so one tree will crop on its own. It blooms with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/meteor-tart-cherry\"\u003eMeteor\u003c\/a\u003e if you want to plant more than one. Partners we carry include Meteor Tart Cherry, Montmorency Tart Cherry, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fe-tart-cherry\"\u003eFE Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Evan's Bali Tart Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Evan's Bali Tart Cherry hardy to zone 2b, which means winters down to about -45°F. Our notes have it taking -42°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Evan's Bali Tart Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,100. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. An Alberta prairie survivor. Montana winters easily meet its chill; what it's really known for is shrugging off deep winter cold. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#evans-bali-tart-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Evan's Bali Tart Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 6 to Aug 17 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Evan's Bali Tart Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Evan's Bali Tart Cherry are pies and baking (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Evan's Bali Tart Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Evan's Bali Tart Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Evan's Bali Tart Cherry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 3-5 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"3-5 ft.","offer_id":42499065741378,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/evans-bali-tart-cherry-fruit.webp?v=1789020066"},{"product_id":"honeyberry-bundle-of-4","title":"Honeyberry (Bundle of 4) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Honeyberry is a honeyberry shrub rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHaskap, blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (750 to 1,200). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#honeyberry-bundle-of-4\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), very early spring here. Plant the whole bundle together: Aurora needs Tundra nearby to set fruit. If you add more honeyberries later, pick early-to-mid bloomers like Borealis or Indigo types, not the late Boreal series. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#honeyberry\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely bothered by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3 Aurora and 1 Tundra. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince we tried a fresh Aurora Honeyberry during Montana State’s Western Ag. Research Center taste testing in July of 2019, we knew we had to grow it. Aurora consistently produces large berries, is easy to harvest, and demonstrates excellent flavor. Aurora is hardy to below -50°F. That said, a friend grows them in the Yukon, where temperatures dip below -65°F! He’s not so sure of the variety, but the point is, they’re tough and very well may grow in such extremes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur pollenizer for the Aurora is Tundra, which we have found to be extremely reliable. The flavor is almost as good as Aurora, although the berry size is slightly smaller and the berries are a hint more tart. They are however, precocious and hardy. Easily hardy to at least -50F, which we must depend on in cold climates if we want Aurora to survive and do well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBundle \u0026amp; Planting Instructions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese honeyberries come in a bundle of 4, 3 Aurora and 1 pollenizer, Tundra. They must be planted together for pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese honeyberries are currently our larger grade and going on their fourth year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Haskap (honeyberry)” by karen_hine, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/55620187@N05\/18469129480\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFlickr\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain; “Жимолость голубая ягоды Саратов” by ИринаЯ, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:%D0%96%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8C_%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D1%8F%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D1%8B_%D0%A1%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Blooming Lonicera caerulea” by WildBoar, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Blooming_Lonicera_caerulea.JPG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain; “Lonicera caerulea 2017” by Max071086, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Lonicera_caerulea_2017.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Honeyberry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Honeyberry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Honeyberry needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant the whole bundle together: Aurora needs Tundra nearby to set fruit. If you add more honeyberries later, pick early-to-mid bloomers like Borealis or Indigo types, not the late Boreal series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Honeyberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Honeyberry hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Honeyberry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 750 and 1,200. That comes from published figures for this variety. Aurora needs roughly 1,000 to 1,200 chill hours. Once that's met, haskaps wake fast in warm spells, so frost can catch early blooms. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#honeyberry-bundle-of-4\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Honeyberry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Honeyberry are fresh eating (8\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Honeyberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely. Deer seldom bother Honeyberry, though a hungry winter deer will try almost anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Honeyberry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 3 Aurora and 1 Tundra. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"3 Year Old Larger Grade: 3 Aurora and 1 Tundra","offer_id":42611829145666,"sku":null,"price":139.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/honeyberry-haskap-ripe-berries.jpg?v=1791617882"},{"product_id":"italian-plum","title":"Italian Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Italian Plum is a plum tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), partially self-fertile, so a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a European plum), and it ripens about Sep 9 to Sep 29 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Our notes have it taking -25°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (700 to 1,000). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#italian-plum\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePartially Self-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Italian sets fruit alone but crops better with another European plum such as Stanley or Mount Royal. It will not cross with Asian or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eAmerican plums\u003c\/a\u003e. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stanley-plum\"\u003eStanley Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/mount-royal-plum\"\u003eMount Royal Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/early-italian-plum\"\u003eEarly Italian Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/longjohn-plum\"\u003eLongjohn Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 6 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 9 to Sep 29 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLovell: full size, about 12 to 20 ft tall unpruned. Doesn't like wet feet or high-lime soil. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDrying (10\/10), pies and baking (9\/10), cooking and roasting (9\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 4-6 ft. - One Year Older or 6-8 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"84\" data-end=\"98\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"99\" data-end=\"372\"\u003eOne of the most reliable European plums in Western Montana, Italian offers excellent flavor. This large, purple-skinned, freestone plum is super flavorful and very sweet when fully ripe. In Missoula, we wait until the frost gets them before harvesting, as it softens and sweetens the fruit. But don't do leave it on the tree for many consecutive evenings of frost because it will then become bland. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"374\" data-end=\"394\"\u003eVersatile Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"395\" data-end=\"505\"\u003eItalian plums can be eaten fresh, dried, or cooked, making them a versatile addition to any garden or kitchen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"507\" data-end=\"545\"\u003eCold Hardiness and Growing Zones\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"546\" data-end=\"833\"\u003eA vigorous and fairly cold-hardy plum, Italian is perfect for most areas in Western Montana, unless you're in one of the colder areas (i.e. Potomac). It’s recommended for Zone 4 and it survived -25°F in Missoula on 1\/13\/24 without showing any signs of injury. Italian's limit, however, in terms of absolute extreme winter low tolerance is likely to -35°F, possibly -40°F if planted in a good area free of frost pooling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"835\" data-end=\"871\"\u003eSelf-Fertility and Pollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"872\" data-end=\"1127\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eItalian is partially self-fertile and doesn’t require a pollenizer, though it may fruit more abundantly when planted alongside varieties like President, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stanley-plum\"\u003eStanley\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/mirabelle-de-bitterroot-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eMirabelle de Bitterroot\u003c\/a\u003e, or others. It will not cross-pollinate with Asian or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eAmerican plums\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Italian Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Italian Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Italian Plum is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. Italian sets fruit alone but crops better with another European plum such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stanley-plum\"\u003eStanley\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/mount-royal-plum\"\u003eMount Royal\u003c\/a\u003e. It will not cross with Asian or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eAmerican plums\u003c\/a\u003e. Partners we carry include Stanley Plum, Mount Royal Plum, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/early-italian-plum\"\u003eEarly Italian Plum\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Italian Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Italian Plum hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our notes have it taking -25°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Italian Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 1,000. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Nurseries list 700 to 1,000 hours, most often 800. It blooms late, which helps it dodge spring frost. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#italian-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Italian Plum ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 9 to Sep 29 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Italian Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Italian Plum onto Lovell (full size), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 20 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Italian Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Italian Plum are drying (10\/10), pies and baking (9\/10), cooking and roasting (9\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Italian Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Italian Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Lovell Full Size: 4-6 ft. - One Year Older (Less Branching than 6-8 ft.) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42751573327938,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Lovell Full Size: 6-8 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping","offer_id":42499268542530,"sku":null,"price":109.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/italian-plum-on-tree.png?v=1789020347"},{"product_id":"mirabelle-de-bitterroot-plum-bundle-of-2","title":"Mirabelle de Bitterroot Plum (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mirabelle de Bitterroot Plum is a plum tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a European plum).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (700 to 1,100). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#mirabelle-de-bitterroot-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Self-fertility is unknown for this local selection, so plant another European plum such as Stanley, Italian or Mount Royal nearby. Japanese and hybrid plums (\u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/la-crescent-plum\"\u003eLa Crescent\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ptitsin-5-plum\"\u003ePtitsin #5\u003c\/a\u003e and the like) cannot pollenize it. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stanley-plum\"\u003eStanley Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/mount-royal-plum\"\u003eMount Royal Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/italian-plum\"\u003eItalian Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/early-italian-plum\"\u003eEarly Italian Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 6 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJams and jellies (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), brandy and liqueurs (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft. or 5-7 ft. (pruned to 5 ft. for shipping). Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"4612\" data-end=\"4626\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4627\" data-end=\"4948\"\u003eIf anyone has ever been to Europe and tried Mirabelle plums there, then the genetics of these plums are the most comparable, but specifically for cold-climate growers. The mother plants were discovered growing wild by Luke in the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana. He propagated them and named them Mirabelle de Bitterroot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"4950\" data-end=\"4970\"\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4971\" data-end=\"5121\"\u003eThe plums are roughly the same size as the French Mirabelles and have a very similar sweet, jammy flavor, with some subtle notes of apricot and honey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"5123\" data-end=\"5143\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5144\" data-end=\"5351\"\u003eThese plums are hardy down to -35°F, if not even hardier. The mother trees of these roots have survived for over 60 years, enduring intense fall frosts, mid-winter lows, and the generally tough Montana cold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Mirabelle de Bitterroot Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Mirabelle de Bitterroot Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Mirabelle de Bitterroot Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Self-fertility is unknown for this local selection, so plant another European plum such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stanley-plum\"\u003eStanley\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/italian-plum\"\u003eItalian\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/mount-royal-plum\"\u003eMount Royal\u003c\/a\u003e nearby. Japanese and hybrid plums (\u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/la-crescent-plum\"\u003eLa Crescent\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ptitsin-5-plum\"\u003ePtitsin #5\u003c\/a\u003e and the like) cannot pollenize it. Partners we carry include Stanley Plum, Mount Royal Plum, Italian Plum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Mirabelle de Bitterroot Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Mirabelle de Bitterroot Plum hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Mirabelle de Bitterroot Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 1,100. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#mirabelle-de-bitterroot-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Mirabelle de Bitterroot Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Mirabelle de Bitterroot Plum are jams and jellies (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), brandy and liqueurs (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Mirabelle de Bitterroot Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Mirabelle de Bitterroot Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Mirabelle de Bitterroot Plum ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft. or 5-7 ft. (pruned to 5 ft. for shipping). We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"3-5 ft.","offer_id":42500879777858,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5-7 ft. (pruned to 5 ft. for shipping)","offer_id":42500879843394,"sku":null,"price":139.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/mirabelle-de-bitterroot-plum-on-tree.webp?v=1789020605"},{"product_id":"montmorency-tart-cherry","title":"Montmorency Tart Cherry (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Montmorency Tart Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a tart cherry), and it ripens about Jul 22 to Aug 3 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 7. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 700 hours (500 to 950). Published figures disagree, so treat this as a middle estimate. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Montmorency is self-fertile, so one tree will crop on its own. A second tart cherry nearby is not required. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry-bundle-of-3-3l736\"\u003eEvan's Bali Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/meteor-tart-cherry\"\u003eMeteor Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fe-tart-cherry\"\u003eFE Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/balaton-tart-cherry\"\u003eBalaton Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e and 1 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/tart-cherry-pollination-map\"\u003eTart Cherry Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Jul 22 to Aug 3 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMahaleb: full size, about 20 to 30 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall unpruned. Loves dry, well-drained soil. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCanning and freezing (9\/10), drying (9\/10), juice and sweet cider (9\/10), sauce and butter (9\/10), pies and baking (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"4953\" data-end=\"4967\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4968\" data-end=\"5348\"\u003eOne of the most famous tart cherries and most widely grown in the US, Montmorency is thought to have originated in the Montmorency Valley just north of Paris, where it was named after a noble family that had grown it since the 13th century. French settlers moving up the St. Lawrence River Valley toward the Great Lakes brought it to the New World around 1760, or perhaps earlier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5350\" data-end=\"5901\"\u003eAlthough the literature on Montmorency does not indicate why Montmorency was imported from Europe over other cultivars, we suspect it was because of its cold hardiness. Given how much more temperate Europe is generally speaking than Canada, around the Great Lakes, and other northern areas where Montmorency was first grown, it is likely that many of the other tart cherry cultivars did not survive harsher winters. Meanwhile, we have seen Montmorency growing in cuspy zone 3\/4 areas. Still not as hardy as meteor, and certainly not as hardy as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry\"\u003eEvan's Bali\u003c\/a\u003e or the dwarf cherries, though, for Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"5903\" data-end=\"5923\"\u003eFlavor and Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5924\" data-end=\"6249\"\u003eThe Montmorency fruit sweetens as it ripens, but remains fairly tart for most people to eat out of hand. However, its flavor and tartness makes for spectacular dried cherries. Plant in conjunction with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danube-cherry\"\u003eDanube\u003c\/a\u003e, which is less tart (albeit still a tart cherry), and complements the Montmorency in terms of uses. Hardy to zone 3b, or roughly -35F (possibly -40F in protected sites).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Perfect Cluster” by 26.3andBeyond, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/152376767@N03\/35211992024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFlickr\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Montmorency cherries (3648681426)” by Martha Dol., via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Montmorency_cherries_(3648681426).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Montmorency Sour Cherry Blossoms DSC 7916” by Dick Thompson Sandian, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/32234827@N03\/26363452781\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFlickr\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Montmorency Tart Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Montmorency Tart Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Montmorency Tart Cherry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Montmorency is self-fertile, so one tree will crop on its own. A second tart cherry nearby is not required. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry\"\u003eEvan's Bali Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/meteor-tart-cherry\"\u003eMeteor Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fe-tart-cherry\"\u003eFE Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Montmorency Tart Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Montmorency Tart Cherry hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Montmorency Tart Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 950. Published figures for it disagree, so treat that as a middle estimate. Montana winters satisfy it easily; spring frost at bloom is the real risk for tart cherries. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Montmorency Tart Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Jul 22 to Aug 3 in Missoula, Montana (picked and dated off our own trees). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Montmorency Tart Cherry get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Montmorency Tart Cherry onto Mahaleb (full size), which makes a tree roughly 20 to 30 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Montmorency Tart Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Montmorency Tart Cherry are canning and freezing (9\/10), drying (9\/10), juice and sweet cider (9\/10), sauce and butter (9\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Montmorency Tart Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Montmorency Tart Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Mahaleb Semi-Standard: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42500893442114,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mahaleb Semi-Standard: 5-7 ft. (Larger \u0026 More Branching) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42500893474882,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/montmorency-tart-cherries-cluster.jpg?v=1791617260"},{"product_id":"mountain-ash-bundle-of-2","title":"Mountain Ash (Bundle of 3) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mountain Ash is a mountain ash tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRowan (Sorbus)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (600 to 1,500). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#mountain-ash-bundle-of-2\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very late spring here. Mountain ash flowers are built to favor cross-pollination, so plant the seedlings in the bundle near each other; each one is genetically different. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#mountain-ash\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFeeding wildlife (8\/10), ornamental value (8\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), brandy and liqueurs (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tree isn’t technically native to Montana (the closest native range is eastern North Dakota), but it’s not listed elsewhere on the website. These trees are extremely hardy and can thrive in tough conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBeautiful Spring Blooms\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the spring, they produce pretty white flowers that add a touch of beauty to any landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEdible and Versatile Fruit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter their first winter freeze, the fruits become edible—both raw or cooked. They can be used to make pie and jelly, making them a great addition to any garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSize and Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese trees will reach about 30 ft. at maturity. Hardy to zone 3, or possibly even zone 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSize\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrees are 18-24\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions: state invasive plant law\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eEuropean mountain ash (\u003cem\u003eSorbus aucuparia\u003c\/em\u003e) is on Maine’s “do not sell” list of prohibited invasive plants, and Minnesota has designated it a Specially Regulated Plant with sale prohibited from 2029. We \u003cstrong\u003edo not ship mountain ash to Maine\u003c\/strong\u003e. Minnesota customers should note the coming 2029 restriction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eThese restrictions apply to the European species. If you are ordering from a state that regulates \u003cem\u003eSorbus aucuparia\u003c\/em\u003e and need written confirmation of the species we are shipping, contact us before ordering and we will confirm from our nursery records.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Sorbus decora 15-p.bot-sorbu.deco-15” by Ayotte, Gilles, 1948-, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Sorbus_decora_15-p.bot-sorbu.deco-15.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Sorbus decora 1219234” by Bill Cook, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Sorbus_decora_1219234.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 3.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Sorbus decora 15-p.bot-sorbu.deco-13” by Ayotte, Gilles, 1948-, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Sorbus_decora_15-p.bot-sorbu.deco-13.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Showy Mountain-Ash (Sorbus decora) - Algonquin Provincial Park 2019-09-21 (02)” by Ryan Hodnett, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Showy_Mountain-Ash_(Sorbus_decora)_-_Algonquin_Provincial_Park_2019-09-21_(02).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Sorbus decora 1219233” by Bill Cook, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Sorbus_decora_1219233.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 3.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Mountain Ash\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Mountain Ash need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Mountain Ash needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Mountain ash flowers are built to favor cross-pollination, so plant the seedlings in the bundle near each other; each one is genetically different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Mountain Ash?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Mountain Ash hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Mountain Ash need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,500. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#mountain-ash-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Mountain Ash good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Mountain Ash are feeding wildlife (8\/10), ornamental value (8\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), brandy and liqueurs (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Mountain Ash?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Mountain Ash with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Mountain Ash ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 3-5 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"3-5 ft.","offer_id":42535363936322,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/mountain-ash-berries.jpg?v=1791615865"},{"product_id":"belle-de-boskoop-apple","title":"Belle de Boskoop Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Belle de Boskoop Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 4 from other growers' reports (winters to -30°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 14 to Oct 26 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 900 hours (800 to 1,000). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#belle-de-boskoop-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. This is a triploid, so its pollen is poor and it can't pollenize other trees. Plant two different apple or crabapple varieties with good pollen that bloom in groups 2 to 4. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 101 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 14 to Oct 26 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePies and baking (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), salads and slicing (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but since this is our first year with it they're based on published descriptions and other growers, not our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBelle de Boskoop is a large, tart, heirloom apple that originated in Boskoop, Netherlands, in 1856. Recognized for its rustic greenish-yellow skin with red blush and russeting, it has firm, crisp, aromatic flesh with high acidity. This makes it an outstanding all-purpose apple. It's excellent for pies, cakes, and strudels, prized in cider blends, and sharp but enjoyable fresh if you like a tangy flavor. A superb keeper, its flavor mellows and improves in storage over several months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tree is vigorous, heavy-bearing, and some have reported showing a good resistance to scab and canker. It is triploid, so it needs two other varieties with good pollen blooming nearby, and it ripens late in the season. Hardy to zone 4, so it will likely do well in most places in Western Montana. Likely wouldn't survive in areas that experience below -40F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note: this is the first year we’re growing Belle de Boskoop in Montana, so our notes are based on trusted secondhand sources rather than firsthand experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:Sandstein\"\u003eImage courtesy of Wikimedia user Sandstein\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Belle de Boskoop Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Belle de Boskoop Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Belle de Boskoop Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. This is a triploid, so its pollen is poor and it can't pollenize other trees. Plant two different apple or crabapple varieties with good pollen that bloom in groups 2 to 4. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Belle de Boskoop Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Belle de Boskoop Apple at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. This is our first year growing it, so that rating comes from other growers' reports and published sources, not our own winters. We'll adjust it once our trees have seen a few Montana winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Belle de Boskoop Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 900 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,000. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#belle-de-boskoop-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Belle de Boskoop Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 14 to Oct 26 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Belle de Boskoop Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Belle de Boskoop Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Belle de Boskoop Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Belle de Boskoop Apple are pies and baking (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10). Since this is our first year with it, those scores come from published descriptions and other growers, not our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Belle de Boskoop Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Belle de Boskoop Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45124784652354,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/belle-de-boskoop-apple-fruit.jpg?v=1789019191"},{"product_id":"binet-rouge-apple","title":"Binet Rouge Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Binet Rouge Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3 from other growers' reports (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 7 of 7, very late for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 16 to Oct 29 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 900 hours (700 to 1,300). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#binet-rouge-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 7 of 7 (very late), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 6 to 7. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ellis-bitter-apple\"\u003eEllis Bitter Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/brown-snout-apple\"\u003eBrown Snout Apple\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 16 to Oct 29 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard cider (7\/10), brandy and liqueurs (7\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"116\" data-start=\"98\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"477\" data-start=\"117\"\u003eBinet Rouge is a traditional French cider apple from Normandy, long valued for its aromatic, bittersweet fruit and exceptional pollination qualities. The small to medium apples are greenish-yellow with red striping, producing firm, fine-grained flesh that is sweet, slightly bitter, and distinctly flavorful. It's excellent for cider but unsuitable for fresh eating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"509\" data-start=\"479\"\u003eTree Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"751\" data-start=\"510\"\u003eThe tree is moderately vigorous, frost-tolerant at bloom, and known for heavy biennial crops, though it is prone to scab, mildew, and fire blight. Used historically in Calvados production, Binet Rouge remains a highly regarded cider variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"777\" data-start=\"753\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"992\" data-start=\"778\"\u003eIn terms of hardiness, Binet Rouge surprisingly bounced back after a cold 2024 winter in which the Western Agriculture Research Station experienced near -40F. Not sure whether it can tolerate much colder than that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1026\" data-start=\"994\"\u003eNote on Our Experience\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1164\" data-start=\"1027\"\u003eThis is our first year growing Binet Rouge in Montana; information provided is from established sources rather than firsthand experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1224\" data-start=\"1166\"\u003eWestern Ag Research Center Notes (Corvallis, MT)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1815\" data-start=\"1225\"\u003eAccording to Western Agriculture Research Center in Corvallis, MT, \"Binet Rouge is a small stature tree that produces prolifically in bearing years and must be thinned to reduce fruit load and biennial bearing. It is highly susceptible to fire blight and should be managed carefully to reduce risk of infection. Binet Rouge, while not extremely vigorous, does produce several branches with good angles for training on either a trellis or as a standalone tree. Four years after planting, it has yet to reach the top wire in WARC’s high density trellis system on both G935 and M26 rootstock.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1839\" data-start=\"1817\"\u003eImage Credit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"1883\" data-start=\"1840\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:APictche\"\u003eImages Courtesy of Wikimedia Users APictche\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Binet Rouge Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Binet Rouge Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Binet Rouge Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 6 to 7. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ellis-bitter-apple\"\u003eEllis Bitter Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/brown-snout-apple\"\u003eBrown Snout Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Binet Rouge Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Binet Rouge Apple at zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. We're still new to it, so that rating comes from the Western Ag Research Center and other growers' reports rather than our own winters. We'll adjust it as our own trees go through more Montana winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Binet Rouge Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 900 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 1,300. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Late bloomer and strongly biennial, so thin hard in heavy years. No measured chill figure; plan on about 900 hours. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#binet-rouge-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Binet Rouge Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 16 to Oct 29 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Binet Rouge Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Binet Rouge Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Binet Rouge Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Binet Rouge Apple are hard cider (7\/10), brandy and liqueurs (7\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Binet Rouge Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Binet Rouge Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45124816339010,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/binet-rouge-apple-harvest.jpg?v=1789019191"},{"product_id":"romeo-dwarf-cherry","title":"Romeo Dwarf Cherry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Romeo Dwarf Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a dwarf sour cherry), and it ripens about Jul 27 to Aug 4 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDwarf sour cherry, bush cherry, Romance series cherry (Prunus cerasus x Prunus fruticosa)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (600 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#romeo-dwarf-cherry\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Romeo is self-fertile, so one plant will crop on its own. It blooms with Juliet, Cutie Pie and Wowza!, and planting a mix can still help yields. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cutie-pie-dwarf-cherry\"\u003eCutie Pie Dwarf Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/juliet-dwarf-cherry\"\u003eJuliet Dwarf Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wowza-dwarf-cherry\"\u003eWowza! Dwarf Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/tart-cherry-pollination-map\"\u003eTart Cherry Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Jul 27 to Aug 4 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpacing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant 5 to 7 ft apart.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJuice and sweet cider (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), wine (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomeo is a Romance Series dwarf sour cherry from the University of Saskatchewan, bred for extreme cold hardiness and high-quality, dark fruit on a compact, shrub-form plant. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomeo was officially released in 2004 as part of the University of Saskatchewan’s Romance Series of dwarf sour cherries. (\u003ca title=\"Sour Cherries - USask Fruit Program | University of Saskatchewan\" href=\"https:\/\/research-groups.usask.ca\/fruit\/Fruit%20crops\/sour-cherries.php\"\u003eusask\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003cbr\u003eThese Romance Series cherries are interspecific hybrids derived from \u003cem\u003ePrunus cerasus\u003c\/em\u003e (sour cherry) and \u003cem\u003ePrunus fruticosa\u003c\/em\u003e (dwarf\/cherry steppe types), commonly referred to as \u003cem\u003ePrunus × kerrasis\u003c\/em\u003e in cold-climate literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomeo produces deep red fruit that can ripen very dark and is slightly sweeter than some other bush cherry types. Good for fresh eating and can be used in pies, jellies, and pressed for juice. Never dried them but I'm sure they would be good.\u003cbr\u003eThey have relatively high soluble solids and are sweeter than most pie cherries, although do not listen to what some places say online which claim these are sweet cherries. They are not. They are sweeter for a tart cherry but they are still very much have a good deal of acidity. That said, children tend to love them fresh, which says a lot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomeo is grown as a compact shrub-form plant (not a standard cherry tree), and cold-climate guidance warns that training these as a single-trunk “tree form” can reduce hardiness in very cold settings (this has not been a problem here in Western MT, although people in colder parts of Eastern MT should take note of this).\u003cbr\u003eFor spacing, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/gardening.usask.ca\/gardening-advice\/gardenline-nested-pages\/food-plant-pages\/fruit\/sour-cherries.php\"\u003eUniversity of Saskatchewan gardening guidance\u003c\/a\u003e recommends dwarf sour cherries be spaced about 5–7 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomeo (like the other Romance Series bush cherries) is self-fertile, but fruit set can increase when you plant a second compatible bush cherry type nearby. Any of our other dwarf cherries we offer can cross with Romeo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomeo is repeatedly positioned in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/research-groups.usask.ca\/fruit\/Fruit%20crops\/sour-cherries.php\"\u003eresearch\/extension material\u003c\/a\u003e as a Zone 2–class hardy, and it should be able withstand near -50F temps. Good for the vast majority of growers in MT.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Romeo Dwarf Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Romeo Dwarf Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Romeo Dwarf Cherry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Romeo is self-fertile, so one plant will crop on its own. It blooms with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/juliet-dwarf-cherry\"\u003eJuliet\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cutie-pie-dwarf-cherry\"\u003eCutie Pie\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wowza-dwarf-cherry\"\u003eWowza\u003c\/a\u003e!, and planting a mix can still help yields. Partners we carry include Cutie Pie Dwarf Cherry (Bundle of 2), Juliet Dwarf Cherry (Bundle of 2), Wowza! Dwarf Cherry (Bundle of 2).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Romeo Dwarf Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Romeo Dwarf Cherry hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Romeo Dwarf Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Bred on the Canadian prairies, so Montana's winters give it all the chill it wants. No measured figure exists yet. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#romeo-dwarf-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Romeo Dwarf Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Jul 27 to Aug 4 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Romeo Dwarf Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Romeo Dwarf Cherry are juice and sweet cider (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Romeo Dwarf Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Romeo Dwarf Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Romeo Dwarf Cherry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 3-5 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"3-5 ft.","offer_id":42504520335426,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/romeo-dwarf-cherry-on-tree.jpg?v=1789021037"},{"product_id":"titania-black-currant-bundle-of-2","title":"Titania Black Currant (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Titania Black Currant is a currant shrub rated hardy to zone 3 from other growers' reports (winters to -40°F), self-fertile, so one plant can crop, and it ripens about Jul 15 to Jul 30 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,100 hours (700 to 1,600). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#titania-black-currant-bundle-of-2\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very early spring here. Titania sets fruit on its own, but it crops best with a different black currant nearby, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/consort-black-currant\"\u003eConsort\u003c\/a\u003e. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/currant-gooseberry-pollination-chart\"\u003eCurrant \u0026amp; Gooseberry Pollination Chart\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Jul 15 to Jul 30 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpacing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant 4 to 5 ft apart.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJams and jellies (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), brandy and liqueurs (6\/10), fresh eating (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 1-2 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Titania, so everything below is secondhand until we get more long-term data from our own mother plants.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTitania is a Swedish black currant with big berries, a milder flavor than most black currants, and good mildew resistance. It was one of the top performers in North Dakota's black currant trials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was bred by Pal Tamas at Tollarp, Sweden, from a cross made in 1969 and selected in 1974, and it was introduced in the 1980s. Its parents are the Russian variety Altajskaja Desertnaja and a seedling of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/consort-black-currant\"\u003eConsort\u003c\/a\u003e and Kajaanin Musta.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe berries are large, and St. Lawrence Nurseries describes the flavor as \"a bit milder than other cultivars, but with typical black currant flavor.\" In Montana State's variety trials, Titania had the highest sugar of the black currants tested, though its berries were smaller than those of the newer Canadian varieties in the trial. It ripens in midsummer. NDSU found the fruit closest to the ground ripens first and can start dropping before the top is ripe, so plan on picking twice. It's mostly used for juice and jam.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a big, vigorous bush, up to about 6 feet according to the University of Minnesota, and the canes tend to bend toward the ground under a heavy crop. Space plants about 4 to 5 feet apart for easy picking and airflow. It bears early, with a full harvest by about the third year. At NDSU's Carrington station it averaged 4.7 pounds per plant over six years and was recommended for North Dakota. Most sources rate it resistant to powdery mildew.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTitania is self-fertile, so one plant will fruit on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTitania is rated zone 3 by most nurseries, and One Green World lists it hardy to -40F. The University of Minnesota rates its hardiness excellent to very good. We've listed it at zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA note on white pine blister rust: Titania carries the Cr gene, which was bred in for immunity to blister rust. But blister rust has since been reported on Titania in Connecticut, and UMass Extension says a new strain in the Northeast can overcome that immunity. So it's resistant, but not immune.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions: white pine blister rust quarantine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eBlack currants (\u003cem\u003eRibes nigrum\u003c\/em\u003e and its hybrids) are an alternate host for white pine blister rust. We \u003cstrong\u003ecannot ship this plant to Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia, or West Virginia\u003c\/strong\u003e, where its sale or importation is prohibited by state law.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePermit or local restrictions also apply in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Michigan and New Jersey (state permit required) and New York (prohibited outside designated fruiting-currant districts unless the cultivar is certified rust-resistant). Several other states restrict planting only within specific counties or townships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, Oregon, accession \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1482904\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePI 652993\u003c\/a\u003e. Public domain (U.S. government work).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Titania Black Currant\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Titania Black Currant need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Titania Black Currant is self-fertile, so a single plant can set fruit, but it crops best with a different black currant nearby, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/consort-black-currant\"\u003eConsort\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Titania Black Currant?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Titania Black Currant at zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. That comes from One Green World's -40°F rating and most nurseries' zone 3, not from our own winters yet. We'll update it once our own plants have been through some Montana winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Titania Black Currant need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,100 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 1,600. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#titania-black-currant-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Titania Black Currant ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Jul 15 to Jul 30 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Titania Black Currant good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Titania Black Currant are jams and jellies (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions and trial results rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Titania Black Currant?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Titania Black Currant now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Titania Black Currant ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo dormant bare-root plants, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 1-2 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"1-2 ft.","offer_id":45181660430402,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/titania-black-currant-fruit.jpg?v=1790130543"},{"product_id":"balaton-tart-cherry","title":"Balaton Tart Cherry (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Balaton Tart Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for a tart cherry), and it ripens about Jul 29 to Aug 10 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 700 hours (600 to 900). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#balaton-tart-cherry\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), mid spring here. Balaton is self-fertile, so one tree will crop on its own. It blooms a little ahead of Montmorency and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry\"\u003eEvans Bali\u003c\/a\u003e. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danube-cherry\"\u003eDanube Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry-bundle-of-3-3l736\"\u003eEvan's Bali Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/meteor-tart-cherry\"\u003eMeteor Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e and 1 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/tart-cherry-pollination-map\"\u003eTart Cherry Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Jul 29 to Aug 10 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMazzard: full size, about 25 to 35 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall unpruned. Slow to bear, often 5 to 6 years. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePies and baking (10\/10), jams and jellies (9\/10), brandy and liqueurs (9\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), drying (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew for Spring 2027! These are the best pie cherries we have ever had!\u003c\/strong\u003e Balaton (Újfehértói Fürtös) is a Hungarian dark tart cherry, and it is one of the clonal landrace pie cherries out of Hungary, the same group as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danube-cherry\"\u003eDanube\u003c\/a\u003e and Erde Jubileum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOur Take\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe had grown both Danube and Erde Jubileum and thought highly of them, but we had not tried Balaton until this year. Balaton may take the cake. These cherries have real size and real flavor, and the flesh is a deep burgundy rather than the pale flesh of a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency\u003c\/a\u003e. They made the best cherry pie we have had, and the best looking one, too. Hardy to zone 3b (to about -35°F).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrom a Hungarian Village to Michigan\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hungarian name means \"the bunched one of Újfehértó,\" after the village in far eastern Hungary where it was collected and the way the fruit hangs in clusters. It went on to become the most widely planted sour cherry in Hungary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Amy Iezzoni, a cherry breeder at Michigan State University, came across it there in the early 1980s while hunting for tart cherries that bloomed later and could dodge late spring freezes. She brought it to the US in 1984. Nobody here was going to pronounce Újfehértói Fürtös, so it was named after Lake Balaton, and Michigan State and the Hungarian institutes released it together in 1998.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize: large and plump for a tart cherry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColor: dark red skin, with burgundy flesh and juice all the way through\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlavor: sweeter than Montmorency, with a deeper, almost wine-like cherry flavor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTexture: firm, so it holds its shape in a pie instead of cooking down to mush\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat color carries into everything you make with it, which is why the pie looked so good. It's just as good for jam, juice, drying and cherry liqueur.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Balaton Tart Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Balaton Tart Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Balaton Tart Cherry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Balaton is self-fertile, so one tree will crop on its own. It blooms a little ahead of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry\"\u003eEvans Bali\u003c\/a\u003e. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danube-cherry\"\u003eDanube Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, Evan's Bali Tart Cherry, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/meteor-tart-cherry\"\u003eMeteor Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Balaton Tart Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Balaton Tart Cherry hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Balaton Tart Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 900. That comes from published figures for this variety. That's about the same as Montmorency. Montana winters cover it easily; spring frost on the blossoms is the real risk. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#balaton-tart-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Balaton Tart Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Jul 29 to Aug 10 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Balaton Tart Cherry get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Balaton Tart Cherry onto Mazzard (full size), which makes a tree roughly 25 to 35 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Balaton Tart Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Balaton Tart Cherry are pies and baking (10\/10), jams and jellies (9\/10), brandy and liqueurs (9\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Balaton Tart Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Balaton Tart Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Mazzard Full Size: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45191724171330,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Mazzard Full Size: 5-7 ft. (Larger \u0026 More Branching) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45191724204098,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/BalatonTartCherry.jpg?v=1789173522"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/fruit-for-brandy-liqueurs.oembed","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}