Garrington Chokecherry vs Porthos Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Garrington Chokecherry vs Porthos Cherry

Prunus cerasus Porthos

Prunus virginiana Garrington

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Porthos Cherry
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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.

Garrington Chokecherry is a self-fertile and rare chokecherry that is commonly used for commercial orchards. This highly prized selection is known for its heavy yields of large, reddish-black fruit that are easily harvested with an over row harvester.

Garrington Chokecherry is also commonly used for hedges and edible landscaping. This shrubs' chokecherries are commonly used in baking, preserves, wine, and jams or jellies.

Porthos Cherry Quick Facts

Garrington Chokecherry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2b
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: semi upright, compact
Spreading: suckering - low
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium
Maintenance: medium


Flowers: white
Flowers: clusters of white flowers
Bloom time: mid to late spring
Fruit: deep red
Berries: large, tart, reddish-black
Flavor: sweet with balanced acidity
Harvest: mid to late summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: porthos sour cherry