Mayday Cherry vs Porthos Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Mayday Cherry vs Porthos Cherry

Prunus cerasus Porthos

Prunus padus

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Porthos Cherry
Mayday Cherry

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.

Mayday Cherry is a small deciduous tree known for its early blooming and fragrant white flowers.

A favourite specimen tree on prairie homesteads, Mayday Cherry produces small black berries that are inedible to people but highly desirable to birds.

Porthos Cherry Quick Facts

Mayday Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Growth form: semi upright, compact
Spreading: suckering - low
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: seeds and leaves are toxic if ingested
Flowers: white
Flowers: early blooming, white
Bloom time: mid to late spring
Fruit: deep red
Fruit: small black berries
Berries: small black berries
Flavor: sweet with balanced acidity
Harvest: mid to late summer
Seeds: located within the berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: porthos sour cherry
Other Names: common bird cherry, european bird cherry