Western Chokecherry vs Porthos Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Western Chokecherry vs Porthos Cherry

Prunus cerasus Porthos

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Porthos Cherry
Western Chokecherry

Porthos Cherry is a cold-hardy dwarf sour cherry that features white spring flowers followed by large, dark red fruit in mid-to-late summer. Among sour cherries, Porthos is exceptionally sweet with well-balanced acidity. These cherries are ideal for fresh eating, freezing, baking, winemaking, and preserves.

Porthos Cherry was developed by the University of Saskatchewan Fruit Program as part of the Musketeer series and released in 2022. They recommended growing 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 Chokecherry is a shrub or small tree commonly used for farmstead and field windbreaks.

It produces white flowers in the spring and edible dark purple fruit that matures between September and October. Its cherries are great for making for making jams, jellies or wine, but are not very palatable for raw eating.

Porthos Cherry Quick Facts

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Growth form: semi upright, compact
Spreading: suckering - low
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Flowers: white
Bloom time: mid to late spring
Fruit: deep red
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Flavor: sweet with balanced acidity
Harvest: mid to late summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB
Other Names: porthos sour cherry
Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry