The dwarf cherry (Prunus x ‘Cherry Boop’), or Cherry Boop ® is a horticultural obtainment from Canada where, as early as the 1940s, researchers devoted themselves to crossbreeding that could give birth to a cherry tree that was both hardy, producing good cherries and not too tall for that the fruits are easily accessible. The bet seems successful with Cherry Boop ® from the Mongolian cherry tree (prunus fruiticosa) whose hardiness allows it to withstand temperatures of -20 to -25°C.
This dwarf cherry tree offers a compact, bushy, rather columnar port with its 2m in height and 1m in diameter. Its deciduous, dark green foliage is no different from that of its large cousins.
Flowering covers the tree, before leafing, with small, unscented, graceful, decorative, white flowers that are resistant to late frosts, which is a valuable asset. In addition, they are self-fertile which makes this small fruit tree independent.
Subsequently, the flowers give way to cherries of a slightly smaller size than classic cherries, with a small stone. They are red, turning almost black when ripe, and they have a strange particularity, which is that they can remain on the tree for up to about 2 weeks, without being damaged, before being picked…provided that the birds do not don’t eat! Because, in addition to all these benefits, Cherry Boop cherries are delicious: sweet, juicy, acid-free…ideal to enjoy on the go or to cook in clafoutis!
- Family: Rosaceae
- Type: dwarf fruit tree
- Origin: hybrid
- Color: white flowers, red fruits becoming black
- Sowing: yes
- Registry: yes
- Planting: fall
- Flowering: March-April
- Harvest: June-July
- Height: up to 2 m (1 m spread)
Ideal soil and exposure for the Cherry Boop dwarf cherry tree
The Cherry Boop dwarf cherry tree is grown in a sunny position in all types of soil, as long as it is neither too heavy nor too wet and poorly drained.
Date of sowing, grafting and planting Cherry Boop dwarf cherry tree
You can still sow harvested cherry pits on the dwarf cherry tree, but arm yourself with patience!
Grafting cherry on cherry remains a faster method of multiplication.
Planting begins in the fall, ideally, but can still be done until March, excluding periods of frost.
Council of maintenance and culture of the Cherry Boop dwarf cherry tree
Watering will be necessary during the summer following planting, allowing the tree to settle in well, and it may still be necessary in year 2 if periods of drought last. A mulch at the foot helps to maintain a little freshness on the ground.
Take advantage of the cherry tree’s small size to completely protect it from the greediness of birds by covering it with a net before the fruits are ripe.
No pruning is required for this dwarf cherry tree which will bush harmoniously without exuberance.
Harvesting, keeping and using the Cherry Boop dwarf cherry tree
The first harvest comes quickly from the 2nd or 3rd year of planting.
Ripe cherries can wait without being damaged, several days, up to 2 weeks, on the tree, before being picked.
Fruit is eaten fresh, as soon as it is picked, or can be used in pastries such as clafoutis, pies, jam, fruit salads, etc.
Diseases, pests and parasites of the Cherry Boop dwarf cherry tree
The Cherry Boop ® dwarf cherry tree is not particularly susceptible to cherry diseases and pests.
Location and favorable association of the Cherry Boop dwarf cherry tree
By its dwarf form, it is a fruit tree for balconies, terraces, small gardens, patios, etc. which can be grown in the ground or in containers. It also finds a suitable place in a fruit hedge.
Recommended species and varieties of dwarf cherry tree for planting in the garden
Genre prunus brings together about 400 species of trees and shrubs, grown for their fruits: plum, cherry, peach, apricot… but also cherry or blackthorn, whose fruits are harsher, and even the cherry laurel with toxic fruits. ..
As Jean-Yves Maisonneuve points out in his guide proposing 50 fruit trees to discover, Jujube, pistachio tree and Co.*, the number of dwarf cherry trees available from nurseries continues to grow to meet the demand of people who want to create a vegetable garden or orchard on a terrace or balcony; they can choose the Cherry Boop ® dwarf cherry tree, but also Prunus avium ‘Sylvia’ with a columnar habit, ‘Cherry Baby’ self-fertile and fruitful, ‘Royal’ self-fertile particularly suitable for growing in pots, ‘Mayard’ fruitful and decorative in addition…
* Editions Larousse – February 22, 2023 – 144 pages – €16.95