The breeding of dwarf sour cherries began in the 1940s by Dr. Les Kerr. The past 50 years of breeding have combined hardiness, dwarfism and good fruit quality into the final product. The result of University of Saskatchewan breeding is sour cherries with excellent taste and high sugar content. They also have very good potential for mechanical harvesting, which is necessary for commercial fruit production.
- In 1999 the dwarf sour cherry Carmine Jewel was introduced
- In 2004, the Romance series was introduced
Carmine Jewel- Zones 2-8. This shrub produces almost black fruits in mid-July. They are very suitable for cakes, jams, juices and for drying. It's a tart cherry, but many love it fresh. Carmine Jewel is the earliest dwarf sour cherry. The fruits have a diameter of 3.5 g. Productivity is stable and high.
"Romance" Series
In 2004, the Romance series of dwarf sour cherries was introduced. This series includes the varieties 'Juliet', 'Romeo', 'Cupid', 'Valentine' and 'Crimson Passion'.
Juliet- Zones 2-8. Juliet produces dark red cherries. One of the best varieties for fresh consumption, but also for making cakes, juice and jam. Has very high sugar content (up to 20 Brix). The shrub is very productive. The fruits are of excellent quality and have a diameter of 5.0 g.
Romeo- Zones 3-8. Romeo produces dark red to black sweet sour cherries. Very similar to Carmine Jewel, but later. The cherries are very tasty. 4.0 g in diameter. Best for making juice, but also suitable for fresh consumption.
Cupid- Zones 2-8. Cupid produces the largest fruit of all dwarf sour cherries. The cherries are dark red to black in color and weigh 6.5 g in diameter. The flowering time is 1 week later than the other varieties. Cherry has a balanced sweet and sour taste. Ideal for fresh consumption and for making jams and juice.
Valentine- Zones 2-8. Valentine produces a scarlet tart cherries (processing variety). This cherry is best suited for making pies. The red color lasts in cakes and no coloring is required. Also ideal for juices. The shrub is very productive. The fruits have a diameter of 4.5 g.
Crimson Passion- Zones 3-8. This shrub produces dark red cherries in late July/early August. It is the sweetest cherry among dwarf varieties with a whopping sugar content 22 Brix. Growth is weak, very good for pot culture. The fruits have a diameter of 6.0 g. The yields are medium high. Suitable for fresh consumption, also good for processing.
