Collection: Sour Cherries

Prairie Hardy Nursery is proud to offer the newly released collection of University of Saskatchewan bush cherries, developed through over 60 years of cold-climate breeding research. These sour cherry cultivars are grown on their own roots, self-pollinating, and specifically bred for Canadian Prairie conditions. Unlike traditional cherry trees, these grow as compact, multi-stemmed shrubs (1.2-2.4 metres or 4-8 feet tall depending on variety), making them ideal for small spaces, food forests, and permaculture systems. All varieties produce white spring blossoms, require minimal pruning, and tolerate a wide range of soil types with adequate drainage.

The term "sour cherry" refers to their botanical classification; these varieties feature the bright, complex acidity characteristic of Prunus cerasus, balanced with genuine sweetness that makes many of them excellent for fresh eating, not just preserving. The advantage of growing these in bush form is profound: no trunk to winterkill, just tough, productive shrubs that fruit reliably year after year.

These cold-hardy bush cherries thrive in hardiness zones 2 to 4 across Canada (depending on the cultivar) including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and cold-climate regions of Ontario.