{"title":"Fruit for Small Spaces","description":"\u003cp\u003eFruit that stays small enough for a city lot, a side yard or the edge of a garden. No ladders, no 20-foot trees, and most of these will fruit within a few years of planting. They're as cold hardy as anything we sell.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdetails class=\"mft-more\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eMore about fruit for small yards\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/romeo-dwarf-cherry\"\u003eRomeo\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/juliet-dwarf-cherry\"\u003eJuliet\u003c\/a\u003e are dwarf sour cherries from the University of Saskatchewan. They top out around 8 to 12 feet, they're self-fertile and they take zone 2. See \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/romeo-vs-juliet-cherry\"\u003eRomeo vs Juliet\u003c\/a\u003e to pick one, or plant both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bush cherries \u003ca href=\"\/products\/jan-bush-cherry\"\u003eJan\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJoy\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joel-bush-cherry\"\u003eJoel\u003c\/a\u003e come from Elwyn Meader in New Hampshire. You pick them standing on the ground in early September. Nanking cherries stay shrub size too, with sweeter white-fruited \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ian-white-nanking-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eIan White\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/jules-nanking-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJules\u003c\/a\u003e and the red \u003ca href=\"\/products\/nanking-cherry-bundle-of-3\"\u003eNanking cherry\u003c\/a\u003e bundle, all hardy to zone 2. Nankings need two different plants, which is why they come as bundles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor blueberries, our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-climate-blueberry-bundle-bundle-of-3\"\u003ehalf-high blueberries\u003c\/a\u003e stay knee to waist high and take zone 3, as long as you give them acid soil. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/nanking-vs-sand-cherry\"\u003eNanking vs sand cherry\u003c\/a\u003e page helps if you want a fruiting hedge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat fruit tree is best for a small yard?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomeo or Juliet dwarf cherry. They stay 8 to 12 feet, they're self-fertile and they're hardy to zone 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo bush cherries need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant two different ones. Jan and Joy are a good pair, and the Nanking cherries come as bundles for that reason.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I grow fruit in a container?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHalf-high blueberries do well in a big pot, which also makes it easy to give them the acid soil they need.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"ian-white-nanking-cherry-bundle-of-2","title":"Ian White Nanking Cherry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ian White Nanking Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and self-incompatible, so plant two genetically different plants.\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\u003eManchu cherry, Chinese bush cherry, mountain cherry (Prunus tomentosa)\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 400 hours (200 to 700). 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#ian-white-nanking-cherry-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-Incompatible - Plant Two Genotypes. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very early spring here. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/nanking-cherry-bundle-of-3\"\u003eNanking cherry\u003c\/a\u003e needs pollen from a genetically different plant. Plant Ian White with Jules or seedling Nanking cherries, not just two Ian White plants. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/jules-nanking-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJules Nanking Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/nanking-cherry-sszj3\"\u003eNanking Cherry (Bundle of 3)\u003c\/a\u003e. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#nanking-cherry\"\u003ePollination Charts\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), ornamental value (7\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (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\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, 6-18\". 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=\"429\"\u003eIan, similar to Jules, is also very sweet—possibly even sweeter than the red Nankings. Be sure to read the description on Jules for details about their impressive frost tolerance. During the winter of 2022, we left them outside in pots with roots fully exposed—and they still came through strong. Very cold hardy. Hardy to Zone 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"431\" data-end=\"461\"\u003ePlant Size \u0026amp; Root System\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"462\" data-end=\"557\"\u003eThese Ian Nankings are 6–18\" tall and have lots of fine root hairs, ready to establish quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"559\" data-end=\"581\"\u003ePollination Note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"582\" data-end=\"630\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003ePlant with Red Nanking or Jules for pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Ian White Nanking Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Ian White Nanking Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Ian White Nanking 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 Ian White Nanking Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 400 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 200 and 700. Nobody has published a figure for Ian White itself, so it takes the published Nanking cherry figures (about 200 to 600 hours). That low chill need is why Nanking blooms so early, often before the leaves. Plant it where cold air drains away so frost doesn't take the flowers. 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#ian-white-nanking-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Ian White Nanking Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Ian White Nanking Cherry are pies and baking (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), ornamental value (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Ian White Nanking Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Ian White Nanking Cherry now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Ian White Nanking 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: 6-18\". 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":"6-18\"","offer_id":42499257892930,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/ian-white-nanking-cherry-fruit.webp?v=1789020347"},{"product_id":"jules-nanking-cherry-bundle-of-2","title":"Jules Nanking Cherry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jules Nanking Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and self-incompatible, so plant two genetically different plants.\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\u003eManchu cherry, Chinese bush cherry, mountain cherry (Prunus tomentosa)\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 400 hours (200 to 700). 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#jules-nanking-cherry-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-Incompatible - Plant Two Genotypes. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very early spring here. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/nanking-cherry-bundle-of-3\"\u003eNanking cherry\u003c\/a\u003e needs pollen from a genetically different plant. Plant Jules with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ian-white-nanking-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eIan White\u003c\/a\u003e or seedling Nanking cherries. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zf4qf8i1gfb0z6oqnwi98olhs7w0kc\"\u003eIan White Nanking Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/nanking-cherry-sszj3\"\u003eNanking Cherry (Bundle of 3)\u003c\/a\u003e. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#nanking-cherry\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrnamental value (8\/10), pies and baking (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (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\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, 6-18\". 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\u003eJules is the sweetest of all the Nankings. Interestingly enough, it seems to be just as cold hardy—if not more so—than the red Nanking. Some of these were left out in pots all winter long with no root protection whatsoever. Only native trees or trees we’ve specifically bred to handle frozen roots can withstand that kind of treatment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRemarkable Cold Tolerance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe White Nanking seemed to come back even stronger, with no noticeable frost damage to the root tissue. Jules is hardy to Zone 2 and shows serious resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination Info\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant with Ian or Red Nanking for good cross-pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2027 Plant Sizes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor 2027, these Jules Nankings come in 6-18\" and have really nice root systems with lots of fine root hairs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Jules Nanking Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Jules Nanking Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Jules Nanking 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 Jules Nanking Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 400 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 200 and 700. Published figures for Jules and other Nanking cherries run about 200 to 600 hours, so treat that as a middle estimate. That low chill need is why Nanking blooms so early, often before the leaves. Plant it where cold air drains away so frost doesn't take the flowers. 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#jules-nanking-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Jules Nanking Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Jules Nanking Cherry are ornamental value (8\/10), pies and baking (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Jules Nanking Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Jules Nanking Cherry now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Jules Nanking 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: 6-18\". 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":"6-18\"","offer_id":42499692953666,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/jules-nanking-cherry-fruit.webp?v=1789020384"},{"product_id":"nanking-cherry-bundle-of-3","title":"Nanking Cherry (Bundle of 3) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nanking Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and self-incompatible, so plant two genetically different plants.\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\u003eManchu cherry, Chinese bush cherry, mountain cherry (Prunus tomentosa)\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 400 hours (200 to 700). 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#nanking-cherry-bundle-of-3\"\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-Incompatible - Plant Two Genotypes. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very early spring here. Each Nanking cherry needs pollen from a different plant. This bundle of seedlings pollenizes itself, and it also pairs with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ian-white-nanking-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eIan White\u003c\/a\u003e or Jules. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/zf4qf8i1gfb0z6oqnwi98olhs7w0kc\"\u003eIan White Nanking Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/jules-nanking-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJules Nanking Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#nanking-cherry\"\u003ePollination Charts\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), ornamental value (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (7\/10), wine (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\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, 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\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of our all-time favorites, Nanking cherry is a must-have in any edible landscape. Hardy down to Zone 2, this small tree\/large shrub produces excellent-tasting cherries—not quite tart, not quite sweet. They’ve got a flavor all their own and are great for fresh eating, but also shine when used for juicing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEarly Harvest \u0026amp; Long Hanging Fruit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the first fruits to come on in the summer, Nankings stay on the tree for a long time, giving you a nice, extended harvest window throughout the growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEasy Maintenance \u0026amp; Long-Term Care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey do require renewal pruning to maintain vigor and prevent disease—usually around 10 years after planting. Hopefully by then we’ll have a video up showing what that process looks like!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardy to Zone 2 (-40°F or more).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShrubs are 2-3 ft. tall\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Nanking Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Nanking Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Nanking 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 Nanking Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 400 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 200 and 700. Published figures run about 200 to 600 hours, so treat that as a middle estimate. That low chill need is why Nanking blooms so early, often before the leaves. Plant it where cold air drains away so frost doesn't take the flowers. 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#nanking-cherry-bundle-of-3\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Nanking Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Nanking Cherry are jams and jellies (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), ornamental value (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Nanking Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Nanking Cherry now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Nanking 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: 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":"2-3 ft.","offer_id":42535097139266,"sku":null,"price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/nanking-cherry-fruit-on-bush.webp?v=1789020641"},{"product_id":"juliet-dwarf-cherry","title":"Juliet Dwarf Cherry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Juliet 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 19 to Jul 29 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\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#juliet-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. Juliet is self-fertile, so one plant will crop on its own. It blooms with Romeo, 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\/romeo-dwarf-cherry\"\u003eRomeo 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 19 to Jul 29 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\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (8\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), drying (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (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. 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=\"248\" data-start=\"227\"\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; Breeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"630\" data-start=\"249\"\u003eJuliet Dwarf Cherry, a cross between Prunus fruticosa (Mongolian bush cherry) and Prunus cerasus (sour cherry), was developed by the University of Saskatchewan as part of the Romance Series of bush cherries, bred specifically for extreme cold climates. These cherries were selected to combine the winter hardiness of native cherry species with improved fruit size, flavor, and productivity. Juliet is one of the largest-fruited and most productive selections in the series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"650\" data-start=\"632\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"969\" data-start=\"651\"\u003eJuliet is exceptionally cold hardy and is reliably winter hardy to even −50°F. This makes it suitable for some of the coldest fruit-growing regions in North America, including much of the northern Plains, interior mountain valleys, and exposed continental sites where traditional sweet and sour cherries fail. Juliet will work in just about all of Montana apart from perhaps the absolute coldest places that can see sub -50°F temps. If you are in an area like this, Juliet and other Romance series cherries could still do well if you site them in a spot free of frost-pooling (higher up\/out of depressions on the landscape).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"993\" data-start=\"971\"\u003ePlant Form \u0026amp; Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1325\" data-start=\"994\"\u003eJuliet grows as a compact, multi-stemmed shrub rather than a standard tree. Sources online typically note Juliet reaching 6–8 feet tall and wide, although a ten year old Juliet tree we saw at the Western Ag. Research Center in Corvallis, MT is closer to 8-10 ft. The bush form eliminates the need for ladders and makes pruning, netting, and harvest straightforward. Plants are naturally dense and upright, and they fit well into small orchards, hedgerows, or mixed plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1347\" data-start=\"1327\"\u003eLeaves \u0026amp; Flowers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1612\" data-start=\"1348\"\u003eLeaves are medium-sized and deep green through the growing season, contributing to good vigor and fruit development. In spring, Juliet produces abundant white blossoms that are attractive to pollinators. Flowering is typically reliable once plants are established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1635\" data-start=\"1614\"\u003eFruit Description\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1925\" data-start=\"1636\"\u003eJuliet produces large, dark red cherries that are among the biggest in the bush cherry category. Fruit is borne in clusters and ripens evenly, making harvest efficient. The skin darkens significantly as the fruit reaches full maturity, and allowing cherries to fully color improves flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1944\" data-start=\"1927\"\u003eFlavor \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2300\" data-start=\"1945\"\u003eThe flavor of Juliet is balanced and rich, combining sweetness with enough acidity to keep the fruit lively. It is excellent for fresh eating when fully ripe and performs especially well for pies, preserves, juice, syrup, and drying. The higher sugar content compared to many bush cherries makes Juliet a standout for both home and small-scale processing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"2318\" data-start=\"2302\"\u003eProductivity \u0026amp; Pollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2528\" data-start=\"2319\"\u003eJuliet is highly productive once established and often bears heavy crops annually, with the fruit ripening in Missoula and the Bitterroot around third week to end of July. As with other bush cherries, yield and fruit quality tend to improve as plants mature and develop a larger, better-lit canopy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2528\" data-start=\"2319\"\u003eJuliet is at least partially self-fertile, meaning you'll get fruit without the need from another variety of dwarf cherry (pollenizer), but planting it near another dwarf cherry, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/romeo-dwarf-cherry\"\u003eRomeo\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cutie-pie-dwarf-cherry\"\u003eCutie Pie\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wowza-dwarf-cherry\"\u003eWowza\u003c\/a\u003e!, can increase fruit yield.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"2566\" data-start=\"2530\"\u003eDisease Resistance \u0026amp; Reliability\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2809\" data-start=\"2567\"\u003eJuliet shows good resistance to common cherry diseases when grown in cold, dry-summer climates with good airflow. The bush form also provides resilience after harsh winters, as new shoots can regenerate from the base if older wood is damaged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"2828\" data-start=\"2811\"\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3127\" data-start=\"2829\"\u003eJuliet performs best in full sun with well-drained soil. Minimal pruning is required beyond removing dead or crowded stems and occasionally renewing older wood. Because of its extreme cold hardiness and manageable size, it is one of the most dependable cherries for growers in challenging climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Juliet itself. Photos of Juliet are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Morello Cherries (11530343543)” by Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Morello_Cherries_(11530343543).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\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 Juliet Dwarf Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Juliet Dwarf Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Juliet Dwarf Cherry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Juliet is self-fertile, so one plant will crop on its own. It blooms with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/romeo-dwarf-cherry\"\u003eRomeo\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), Romeo Dwarf Cherry (Bundle of 2), Wowza! Dwarf Cherry (Bundle of 2).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Juliet Dwarf Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Juliet 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 Juliet 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#juliet-dwarf-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Juliet Dwarf Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Jul 19 to Jul 29 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\u003eWhat is Juliet Dwarf Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Juliet Dwarf Cherry are fresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (8\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), drying (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Juliet Dwarf Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Juliet Dwarf Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Juliet 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":42504520859714,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/dark-red-sour-cherries-representative.jpg?v=1791615648"},{"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":"jan-bush-cherry","title":"Jan Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jan Bush Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer, and it ripens about Aug 30 to Sep 7 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 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 300 hours (250 to 600). From published figures. That's low, so chill is never short here, but it can wake early in a midwinter warm spell. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#jan-bush-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\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very early spring here. Jan needs a different bush cherry nearby to fruit well. Plant it with Joel or Joy, since two Jan plants are the same variety. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joel-bush-cherry\"\u003eJoel Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJoy Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#bush-cherry\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 30 to Sep 7 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\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 (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), ornamental value (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, 6-12\". 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=\"14\" data-start=\"0\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"362\" data-start=\"15\"\u003eJan Bush Cherry is one of the three “Meader Bush Cherries” (Jan, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joel-bush-cherry\"\u003eJoel\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJoy\u003c\/a\u003e) developed by University of New Hampshire plant breeder Elwyn Meader. It’s commonly listed botanically as Prunus japonica × Prunus jacquemontii, bred to make a compact, shrub-sized tart cherry for small spaces and colder-climate gardens (more shrub than tree).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"390\" data-start=\"364\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"627\" data-start=\"391\"\u003eJan produces tart, sour-cherry-type fruit that’s best used like a pie cherry: pies, jam, sauce, juice, and baking. That said, they're a little sweeter than your typical \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency tart cherry\u003c\/a\u003e (probably comparable in sweetness to a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danube-cherry\"\u003eDanube\u003c\/a\u003e). When we tried them when they were perfectly ripe the first week of Sept. in 2025, they were good fresh eating, although I do like a little tartness. Most descriptions group it in the “Montmorency-style” use category—good kitchen fruit rather than a sweet dessert cherry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"657\" data-start=\"629\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"983\" data-start=\"658\"\u003eJan grows as a dense, compact bush, typically around 3–5 feet tall and wide depending on site and age. A practical spacing is 4–5 feet apart (closer for a hedge, wider for easier picking and airflow). It’s well suited to edible landscaping and can be kept tidy with light pruning and occasional renewal of older wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1005\" data-start=\"985\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1656\" data-start=\"1006\"\u003eThere is no widely cited, extension-published single “survives down to ___°F” number for Jan specifically. The most consistent hardiness information available in mainstream horticultural listings places Jan around USDA Zone 4. In practical terms, that corresponds to established-plant mid-winter survival around −30°F, with performance below that depending heavily on site exposure, snow cover, wind, fall acclimation, and plant health.\u003cbr data-end=\"1453\" data-start=\"1450\"\u003eMany places online do list it is a zone 3 plant, although we are being conservative here. If you’re planting in colder-than-Zone-4 conditions, plan on microclimate advantages (wind protection, good snow catch, avoiding frost pockets) and treat it as a trial rather than a guaranteed performer. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1675\" data-start=\"1658\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1896\" data-start=\"1676\"\u003eJan is generally described as benefiting from cross-pollination. Planting it with one of the other Meader bush cherries (commonly \u003cstrong data-end=\"1817\" data-start=\"1810\"\u003eJoy\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong data-end=\"1829\" data-start=\"1821\"\u003eJoel\u003c\/strong\u003e) is often recommended to improve fruit set, yield, and fruit size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1933\" data-start=\"1898\"\u003eOther Notable Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2276\" data-start=\"1934\"\u003eA major advantage of the Meader bush cherries is that they ripen which can reduce bird pressure compared to earlier cherries in some locations. They also offer strong ornamental value: spring bloom, compact form, and useful fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Jan Bush Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Jan Bush Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Jan Bush Cherry needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Jan needs a different bush cherry nearby to fruit well. Plant it with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joel-bush-cherry\"\u003eJoel\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJoy\u003c\/a\u003e, since two Jan plants are the same variety. Partners we carry include Joel Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2), Joy Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Jan Bush Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Jan Bush Cherry 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 Jan Bush Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 300 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 250 and 600. That comes from published figures for this variety. Low chill need, an estimated 250 to 350 hours. Montana winters cover that many times over; winter hardiness is the real limit. 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#jan-bush-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Jan Bush Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 30 to Sep 7 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\u003eWhat is Jan Bush Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Jan Bush Cherry are jams and jellies (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), ornamental value (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Jan Bush Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Jan Bush Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Jan Bush 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: 6-12\". 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":42499288236098,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/jan-bush-cherry-in-hand.jpg?v=1789020384"},{"product_id":"joel-bush-cherry","title":"Joel Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Joel Bush Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer, and it ripens about Aug 30 to Sep 7 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 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 300 hours (250 to 600). From published figures. That's low, so chill is never short here, but it can wake early in a midwinter warm spell. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#joel-bush-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\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very early spring here. Joel crops best with a different bush cherry nearby, so plant Jan or Joy with it. Two Joel plants are the same variety and do not count as a pair. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/jan-bush-cherry\"\u003eJan Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJoy Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#bush-cherry\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 30 to Sep 7 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\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 (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), ornamental value (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, 6-12\". 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=\"14\" data-start=\"0\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"463\" data-start=\"15\"\u003eJoel Bush Cherry is one of the three Meader Bush Cherries (\u003ca href=\"\/products\/jan-bush-cherry\"\u003eJan\u003c\/a\u003e, Joel, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJoy\u003c\/a\u003e) developed by University of New Hampshire plant breeder Elwyn Meader. These cherries were bred to create compact, shrub-form tart cherries suited to small spaces and cooler climates. Joel is generally described botanically as part of the Prunus japonica × Prunus jacquemontii hybrid group and is grown more as a fruiting shrub than a traditional cherry tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"491\" data-start=\"465\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"845\" data-start=\"492\"\u003eJoel produces tart, sour-cherry-type fruit intended primarily for kitchen use rather than fresh dessert eating. That said, as we have said for Jan as well, Joel is sweeter than \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency tart cherry\u003c\/a\u003e and probably on par in terms of sweetness with other tart cherries such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danube-cherry\"\u003eDanube\u003c\/a\u003e. Flavor is almost identical to Jan. Maybe people say otherwise. Ripened around the same time as Jan (first week of Sept.) in Missoula, MT.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"875\" data-start=\"847\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1241\" data-start=\"876\"\u003eJoel grows as a compact, dense bush, typically reaching \u003cstrong data-end=\"958\" data-start=\"932\"\u003e3–5 feet tall and wide\u003c\/strong\u003e at maturity. Its shrub-like habit makes it easy to manage and appropriate for edible landscapes, hedgerows, and small gardens. A practical spacing is \u003cstrong data-end=\"1127\" data-start=\"1109\"\u003e4–5 feet apart\u003c\/strong\u003e, with wider spacing improving airflow and ease of harvest, and closer spacing possible for hedge-style plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1263\" data-start=\"1243\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1876\" data-start=\"1264\"\u003eAs with the other Meader bush cherries, there is no single, formally published minimum extreme temperature. Most places list zone 4 but a handful say zone 3. In practical terms, this suggests reliable survival around \u003cstrong data-end=\"1624\" data-start=\"1615\"\u003e−30°F\u003c\/strong\u003e for established plants, with performance below that threshold depending heavily on site conditions, snow cover, wind exposure, and fall acclimation. In colder climates, Joel is best treated as a trial shrub unless protected by favorable microclimates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1895\" data-start=\"1878\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2171\" data-start=\"1896\"\u003eJoel benefits from \u003cstrong data-end=\"1936\" data-start=\"1915\"\u003ecross-pollination\u003c\/strong\u003e and is commonly paired with the other Meader bush cherries, particularly \u003cstrong data-end=\"2017\" data-start=\"2010\"\u003eJan\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong data-end=\"2028\" data-start=\"2021\"\u003eJoy\u003c\/strong\u003e, to improve fruit set and yield. Planting more than one cultivar within this group generally results in better and more consistent production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"2208\" data-start=\"2173\"\u003eOther Notable Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"2638\" data-start=\"2209\"\u003eJoel, like the other Meader bush cherries, ripens in \u003cstrong data-end=\"2277\" data-start=\"2262\"\u003elate summer\u003c\/strong\u003e, often later than many standard cherry varieties. Its compact form, combined with useful fruit, makes it a practical choice for growers prioritizing space efficiency and manageable maintenance over large tree size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Joel Bush Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Joel Bush Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Joel Bush Cherry needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Joel crops best with a different bush cherry nearby, so plant \u003ca href=\"\/products\/jan-bush-cherry\"\u003eJan\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJoy\u003c\/a\u003e with it. Two Joel plants are the same variety and do not count as a pair. Partners we carry include Jan Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2), Joy Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Joel Bush Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Joel Bush Cherry 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 Joel Bush Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 300 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 250 and 600. That comes from published figures for this variety. Low chill need, an estimated 250 to 350 hours. Montana winters cover that many times over; winter hardiness is the real limit. 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#joel-bush-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Joel Bush Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 30 to Sep 7 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\u003eWhat is Joel Bush Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Joel Bush Cherry are jams and jellies (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), ornamental value (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Joel Bush Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Joel Bush Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Joel Bush 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: 6-12\". 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":42499634593858,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/joel-bush-cherry-in-hand.jpg?v=1789020384"},{"product_id":"cold-climate-blueberry-bundle-bundle-of-3","title":"Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle (Bundle of 3) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle is a blueberry shrub rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°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 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 (800 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#cold-climate-blueberry-bundle-bundle-of-3\"\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. Plant all three together. Chippewa can fruit alone but gives bigger berries with a partner, and Polaris or St. Cloud needs a second variety, which the bundle supplies. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#blueberry\"\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 (6\/10), ornamental value (6\/10), drying (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\u003eSeldom badly 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 Polaris 1 St. Cloud and 1 Chippewa. 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\u003eBundle Composition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 'Cold Climate Blueberry Bundles' consist of 2 Chippewa and 1 other pollenizer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollenizer Options\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pollenizer is a mix of either Polaris, St. Cloud, or Brunswick. Chippewa, Polaris and St. Cloud are all half-high (roughly chest height), as they are a cross between low-bush and highbush. The Brunswick is slightly smaller but only because this is a lowbush blueberry, and won't achieve the same height as the half-high blueberries, but also serves as a great pollenizer for the Chippewa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of hardiness, these blueberries are all hardy to -40F, and should be good for the warmer valleys in Western Montana (and eastern Montana such as valley near Billings), as well as areas that are up and out of the frost. Curious if these can survive -45F or more but they very well may. However, we are being a little cautious without knowing for sure. These are zone 3 blueberries and would be experimental in zone 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAge \u0026amp; Productivity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are all going on their fourth year, are very well rooted, and will potentially bear the year of planting or the following year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAdditional photo: “Maturing blueberry” by Dladek, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Maturing_blueberry.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. Plant all three together. Chippewa can fruit alone but gives bigger berries with a partner, and Polaris or St. Cloud needs a second variety, which the bundle supplies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle 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 Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,200. That comes from published figures for this variety. These Minnesota half-highs need a long, cold winter, roughly 1,000 hours. They're a poor bet in mild-winter areas. 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#cold-climate-blueberry-bundle-bundle-of-3\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle are fresh eating (8\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot badly. Deer may nibble Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle, but they seldom do real damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle 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 Polaris 1 St. Cloud and 1 Chippewa. 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":"Large Size: 1 Polaris 1 St. Cloud and 1 Chippewa","offer_id":43081162817602,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/chippewa-blueberry-fruit.jpg?v=1789019810"},{"product_id":"joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2","title":"Joy Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Joy Bush Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), partially self-fertile, so a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable, and it ripens about Aug 29 to Sep 8 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 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 300 hours (250 to 600). From published figures. That's low, so chill is never short here, but it can wake early in a midwinter warm spell. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#joy-bush-cherry-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\u003ePartially Self-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very early spring here. Joy can set some fruit on its own, but crops are better with Jan or Joel planted nearby. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/jan-bush-cherry\"\u003eJan Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joel-bush-cherry\"\u003eJoel Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#bush-cherry\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 29 to Sep 8 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\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJams and jellies (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), ornamental value (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, 6-12\". 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=\"21\" data-end=\"42\"\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; Breeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"43\" data-end=\"325\"\u003eJoy Bush Cherry is part of the cold-hardy bush cherry group developed for northern climates, selected for reliability, productivity, and good fruit quality on a compact plant. These bush cherries draw heavily from hardy Prunus genetics adapted to prairie and continental conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"327\" data-end=\"352\"\u003ePlant Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"696\"\u003eJoy forms a low, multi-stemmed shrub, typically staying in the 6–8 foot range (often similar in spread). It is naturally dense and easy to manage without ladders, making it a great fit for small orchards, hedgerows, and home landscapes. Like other bush cherries, it bears fruit along shorter lateral growth and spur-like wood once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"698\" data-end=\"718\"\u003eLeaves \u0026amp; Flowers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"719\" data-end=\"946\"\u003eLeaves are medium-sized and healthy green through the season. In spring, Joy produces abundant white blossoms that are showy and fragrant. Flowering and fruit set are generally strong once plants are established and well-sited.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"948\" data-end=\"969\"\u003eFruit Description\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"970\" data-end=\"1181\"\u003eJoy produces clusters of round, red cherries sized well for the bush cherry class. Fruit color deepens as it approaches full maturity, and the crop is typically easy to harvest because of the compact plant form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1183\" data-end=\"1203\"\u003eFlavor \u0026amp; Texture\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1204\" data-end=\"1413\"\u003eIn Missoula, Montana, Joy tends to come on around the same time as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/jan-bush-cherry\"\u003eJan\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joel-bush-cherry\"\u003eJoel\u003c\/a\u003e, often ripening in the early September window. In our September 2025 tasting, Joy, Jan, and Joel were all very similar in flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1415\" data-end=\"2163\"\u003eOne reason these can taste more alike in the early years is that young plants are still building canopy and root capacity, and fruit quality can be strongly influenced by crop load and resource balance. When fruit load is high relative to leaf area and sunlight exposure, fruit-to-fruit competition can reduce sugar accumulation and depress overall flavor intensity. Thinning and better light distribution are commonly used to improve fruit quality in tree fruits for exactly this reason. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1415\" data-end=\"2163\"\u003eAs plants mature, they often support a larger, better-lit canopy and a more stable balance between vegetative growth and fruiting, which can translate to more consistent ripening and clearer differences between cultivars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2165\" data-end=\"2193\"\u003eProductivity \u0026amp; Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2194\" data-end=\"2526\"\u003eJoy is productive once established and is well suited to fairly cold climates. It's hardy to zone 4, down to -30F, although some places list it hardier to zone 3. The bush form also tends to be resilient: if a winter is rough, multi-stemmed plants can recover and continue to bear. With good siting and adequate adequate moisture, bush cherries generally perform well with modest disease pressure in cold regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Joy Bush Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Joy Bush Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Joy Bush Cherry is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. Joy can set some fruit on its own, but crops are better with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/jan-bush-cherry\"\u003eJan\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joel-bush-cherry\"\u003eJoel\u003c\/a\u003e planted nearby. Partners we carry include Jan Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2), Joel Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Joy Bush Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Joy Bush Cherry 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 Joy Bush Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 300 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 250 and 600. That comes from published figures for this variety. Low chill need, an estimated 250 to 350 hours. Montana winters cover that many times over; winter hardiness is the real limit. 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#joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Joy Bush Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 29 to Sep 8 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\u003eWhat is Joy Bush Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Joy Bush Cherry are jams and jellies (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), ornamental value (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Joy Bush Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Joy Bush Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Joy Bush 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: 6-12\". 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":42547497599042,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/joy-bush-cherry-in-hand.jpg?v=1789020384"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/fruit-for-small-spaces.oembed","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}