Western Sand Cherry vs Romeo Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Western Sand Cherry vs Romeo Cherry

Prunus pumila var besseyi

Prunus x kerrasis Romeo

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Western Sand Cherry
Romeo Cherry

Western Sand Cherry is known for its unique, leathery grey-green foliage and beautiful white blossoms. It is a popular ornamental shrub in parks and front yards. Both you and the wildlife will love its edible small dark red to purple cherries.

Due to its small stature and spreading qualities, Western Sandcherry is suitable as an underplanting or groundcover.

Many people graft plum and cherry varieties to Western Sand Cherry and use it as rootstock. It is also popular to graft hardy apricots to.

Romeo Cherry is a cold-hardy dwarf sour cherry. The dark red fruit are known for being sweeter than other varieties, often considered one of the sweetest dwarf sour cherries. It is typically highly productive, and the cherries are well suited to fresh eating, baking, and preserves. In the spring, beautiful white flowers cover the branches, adding ornamental value.

Romeo Cherry was developed at the University of Saskatchewan. It is recommended to grow dwarf sour cherries as a shrub rather than a small tree. The shrub form tends to bear fruit earlier and is less susceptible to winterkill.

Sour cherries are self-fertile; however, planting with additional varieties for cross-pollination can increase yields.

Western Sand Cherry Quick Facts

Romeo Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low


Foliage: grey-green
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Fall colour: orange
Flowers: white
Flowers: white
Berries: small purple cherries
Berries: medium sized dark red/black cherries best for making juice or fresh eating
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no