Cherry Prinsepia vs Porthos Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Cherry Prinsepia vs Porthos Cherry

Prinsepia sinensis

Prunus cerasus Porthos

CUSTOM GROW

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Cherry Prinsepia
Porthos Cherry

Cherry Prinsepia is an attractive, cold hardy shrub with thorny stems and a rounded shape.

Primarily used for its shrub and hedge characteristics, Cherry Prinsepia is also grown for its ornamental fruit. Tart in flavor, the red berries are edible and enjoyed by birds and humans alike.

If deer are an issue on your property, try planting Cherry Prinsepia in a tight row to create a dense hedge to deter them.

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.

Cherry Prinsepia Quick Facts

Porthos Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 3b
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: semi upright, compact
Spreading: suckering - low
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Flowers: yellow-white
Flowers: white
Bloom time: mid to late spring
Fruit: showy, red cherries
Fruit: deep red
Flavor: sweet with balanced acidity
Harvest: mid to late summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: porthos sour cherry