Jan Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027

Overview

Jan Bush Cherry is one of the three “Meader Bush Cherries” (Jan, Joel, and Joy) 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).

Fruit Quality & Uses

Jan 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 Montmorency tart cherry (probably comparable in sweetness to a Danube). 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.

Growth Habit & Spacing

Jan 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.

Cold Hardiness

There 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.
Many 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. 

Pollination

Jan is generally described as benefiting from cross-pollination. Planting it with one of the other Meader bush cherries (commonly Joy or Joel) is often recommended to improve fruit set, yield, and fruit size.

Other Notable Characteristics

A 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.