Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Prunus cerasus 'Morello' (C)
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

morello cherry

A dark red, acid cherry that is excellent for preserves, tarts, etc. Regular, good crops; very attractive in blossom; self-fertile. Crops from late July to early August, including on a north-facing site

Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green
Summer Green Red
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Seed kernels harmful if eaten, wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus

Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant in a moist, but well-drained soil, fan-trained against a south, west or north facing wall. Further acid cherry cultivation advice

Propagation

Cherries are usually propagated by grafting onto rootstocks for fruit

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wall side borders
  • Edible fruit
Pruning

Train in early to mid spring and once trained, prune after fruiting, following guidelines for pruning acid cherries / pruning established fans

Pests

Protect cherries against birds. Aphids, winter moth caterpillars and pear and cherry slugworm can be problematic

Diseases

May be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.