The best cherry varieties for the Leningrad region

Cherry varieties for the northwest and Leningrad Oblast are unique fruit and berry crops. They offer numerous advantages: frost resistance, self-fertility, and ease of care. This has made these berries popular among both gardeners and large-scale growers.

Do cherries grow in the Leningrad region?

The Leningrad Region has a continental climate: mild winters and warm summers. The northwest is characterized by unstable summer weather. These variable climates make the northwest a unique location for cherry cultivation. Cherries thrive in warm conditions.

For a long time, gardeners preferred to plant cherries only in the south. But thanks to the meticulous work of breeders, it became possible to plant and grow varietals suitable for the northwest. For many years, scientists have empirically demonstrated the possibility of:

• landings;
• growth;
• development of cherries in changing climatic conditions.

Thanks to their work, fruit trees have taken root well in Leningrad Oblast dachas. Gardeners are planting the best varieties in their plots. They enjoy growing early and late-ripening varieties.

For good fruiting, additional winter-hardy pollinator varieties are required. To successfully grow cherries, it's important to provide them with adequate care. Trees are fertilized, pruned, and treated for diseases and pests. When growing in the Leningrad Region, special attention is paid to nitrogen-based fertilizers.

Feeding rules:

1. If fertilizer was added to the hole before planting, the trees are fed in the 2nd or 3rd year. Each spring, the plant is fertilized with a mullein infusion.
2. Cherry trees respond positively to nitrogen inputs, growing branches and foliage. Instead of organic matter, minerals are used. Forty grams of urea are dissolved in a bucket of water.
3. During flowering, nitrogen is replaced by phosphorus and potassium. Fertilize by adding 30 g of superphosphate and potassium salt to a bucket of water. Fertilize no more than once every 14-21 days.

Fertilizing is permitted before watering. Every 3-4 years, the area around the tree trunk should be dug over. Fertilize with humus or compost.

A clear day is ideal for pruning. The top and side shoots are pruned to no more than 50% of their length. The conductor is left 200-300 mm higher than the branches. As the tree grows, two to three tiers are formed at intervals of half a meter. Each tier should contain three to four thick branches. Dead, broken, and diseased branches are removed annually.

In the Leningrad region, cherries suffer from low temperatures, which cause bud burn and bud death. If shoots are frozen, wait until leaves emerge before pruning the dead branches. The cuts are sealed with garden pitch or a special paste. Care is especially important for these crops:

• nitrogen fertilization;
• adding mulch or humus.

Fruit and berry trees are disease-resistant. In the Leningrad Region, cherries are commonly affected by fungal diseases that spread during rainy and cold weather. Moniliosis and clasterosporium are particularly dangerous for cherry trees. Moniliosis causes shoots and berries to dry out. Gray spots containing fungus form on the tree. To combat the disease, treat the tree after flowering:

• Bordeaux mixture;
• copper-based chemicals.

Treatment is carried out after the berries are picked. Clasterosporium leaf spot is characterized by the formation of dark brown, bordered spots on the foliage, which fall out and form holes. Affected branches begin to die, and the cherry tree dries out. To treat the disease, the plant is treated with Nitrafen or copper sulfate.

Treatments are carried out before the buds open. Allow 14-21 days between treatments. Chemicals should be discontinued three weeks before harvest.

Birds are a major threat to crops in the Leningrad Region. Control begins as the cherry trees ripen. Fruit trees are covered with nets. You can also install a stuffed bird of prey, mirrors made from metal bottle caps, or old CDs.

Cherry varieties for the Leningrad region

If you want to grow cherries for the Leningrad Region, the best varieties can be found among frost-hardy ones. Unique varietals respond well to the rather harsh St. Petersburg weather. Cherries that grow well in the Leningrad Region include:

1. Oryol amber.
2. Ovstuzhenka.
3. Victory.
4. Pink Bryansk.
5. Leningrad black.
6. Tyutchevka.

Cherry trees require a lot of light and produce a good harvest if grown in a sunny location. When planting, ensure that the trees are not shaded by other crops. For fruit and berry trees, a southern location, sheltered from strong winds, is ideal. Cherries dislike low-lying areas or swampy areas where cold air accumulates.

Winter-hardy cherry varieties for the Leningrad region

Increased winter hardiness is a characteristic of cherry varieties suitable for planting in the Leningrad Region. Winters here can be very cold. Plants must withstand significant temperature fluctuations. The best cherry varieties with increased frost resistance for the Leningrad Region are:

1. IputIt won't die even at -32°C.
2. Revna. Above average frost resistance. The plant can tolerate cold temperatures without significant damage to the trunk or branches.
3. Yellow drogana. It has increased tolerance to low temperatures in the northwest. Cherry buds thrive even at -20°C.
4. FatezhThe plant's buds have average frost resistance. The trunk and branches cope well with low temperatures.
5. Bryanskaya Pink. This variety has increased winter hardiness. The plant's buds should be protected from sudden temperature fluctuations.
6. Leningradskaya Chernaya. This cultivar is the most frost-resistant. This is why it is planted more often in the Leningrad Region than others.

Plums, which have the weakest rhizomes, should not be planted together with cherry varieties.

Low-growing cherry varieties for the Leningrad region

Due to climate conditions in the Leningrad Region, squalls are common in autumn and winter. Low-growing cherry varieties are less susceptible to the damaging effects of severe weather.

The following varieties are suitable for the Leningrad region:

1. Raditsa. A medium-sized plant, up to 2-3 meters tall, with a compact crown.
2. Ovstuzhenka. A low-growing variety with good characteristics.
3. Regina. A compact tree up to 3 m.
4. Revna. A neat columnar variety with a pyramidal crown. It grows to an average height of 2 meters.

It's best to buy seedlings from a nursery or preserve. The plant is grafted onto Vladimirskaya cherry or other frost-hardy cultivars.

Self-fertile cherry varieties for the Leningrad region

Self-fertility is the ability of a plant to bear fruit without the presence of pollinators. Among the Leningrad Region's varieties, there are almost no fruit or berry plants with this characteristic.

The following self-fertile varieties can be found:

1. Ovstuzhenka. Conditionally self-fertile. Pollinated within a single tree.
2. JealousyThe plant does not require pollinators to bear fruit.
3. Yellow Garden Cultivars. This variety requires no pollinator and is highly productive.
4. Large-fruited. The plant requires pollinators such as Bigarreau Oratovsky, Valery Chkalov, and Francis.

They don't get along well with apple trees.

The best varieties for cultivation in the Leningrad region

This winter-hardy cherry tree, developed by Russian breeders, is suitable for growing in temperate climates. A one- or two-year-old tree thrives well. For long-distance transport, the rhizome is covered with several layers of wet newspaper, packed in plastic, or simply surrounded by sphagnum moss.

Seda

A cultivar whose berries ripen in midsummer, resistant to fungi and pests. The tall tree, with its spherical crown, produces ruby-colored cherries.

Yugra

This medium-sized tree produces sweet and tart, heart-shaped berries. The plant tolerates low temperatures well.

The yield is average and depends largely on care, feeding, and wintering conditions.

Red dense

A tall plant, it nevertheless tolerates frosts well. It is characterized by poor resistance to fungal diseases. Yellow cherries with beautiful rosy cheeks weigh about 5 g.

Leningrad pink

This tall plant, whose branches form a lush crown, bears fruit every five years and requires pollinators. The fruits ripen in July and are a delicate pink.

Nutmeg

Through a symbiosis of the Severnaya and Pobeda varietals, scientists have created a frost-resistant variety, distinguished by its rich yield, on wild cherry rootstock.

Almost black, heart-shaped cherries have a sweet taste and a muscat aroma.

Chermashnaya

This medium-sized, frost-resistant plant produces a large harvest in moderate climates, given the right growing location. The yellow fruits can be harvested in early summer. Each berry weighs approximately 4.5–4.7 g, and the cherries are juicy and slightly sweet.

Valery Chkalov

This early-ripening variety was developed in the 1950s and is still popular with Russian gardeners. Fruit and berry plant:

• with a pyramid-shaped crown;
• grows up to 6 meters in height.

Ruby cherries weigh about 8 grams. The branches can withstand low temperatures, but the buds can freeze at -23°C.

Leningrad Black

The cherry tree, with its lush crown, begins to bear fruit as early as its third year of growth. The cherries, weighing up to 3.5 grams, take on a ruby ​​color when ripe. The berries are used to make compotes, drinks, and alcoholic liqueurs. It receives positive reviews from gardeners in the Leningrad Region.

Knight

As the description says, the plant was bred on the basis of a varietal species Valery Chkalov, developed by Belarusian breeders, is distinguished by its high yield and frost resistance. The small, juicy, scarlet berries ripen around July 15th.

Jealousy

This pyramid-shaped plant is highly resistant to fungi and tolerates cold and damp conditions well. The ruby-colored berries, weighing 4.6–4.8 g, are moisture-resistant and covered with a dense skin.

A gift for Stepanov

This winter-hardy cherry tree, recently developed, bears fruit in northern climates, is easy to care for, and produces high yields. Cherries weigh up to 5 grams and are glossy and burgundy-colored.

Dawn

The plant thrives in the Leningrad and Moscow regions, tolerates low temperatures, and can withstand dry weather. A single bush can yield up to 30 kilograms of orange-colored cherries, which are easy to transport due to their thick skin.

Leningrad Yellow

An easy-to-care-for cultivar that only bears fruit in its fifth year of growth. Its lush crown bears amber-colored cherries until early autumn.

Bryanochka

The plant is self-sterile, easily tolerates low temperatures, and is not susceptible to coccomycosis infection. Tree:

• grows up to 3–3.5 m in height;
• It pollinates well if the Tyutchevka or Ovstuzhenka variety is planted nearby.

The sweet, pinkish fruits don't crack in damp conditions and ripen in midsummer. One plant produces up to 30 kilograms of cherries.

Fatezh

A tree with a spherical crown and drooping branches can tolerate very low temperatures, but flower buds can freeze. To ensure pollination, self-fertile cultivars are planted nearby.

Tyutchevka

This fruit and berry tree grows up to 4 meters in height and produces berries in the fourth year.

• not afraid of frost;
• curbs drought;
• resistant to fungi.

The fruits have a unique, sweet ruby-colored flesh. The thick stems peel easily, making the berries easy to transport.

Iput

This species forms a pyramidal crown. Cherry buds do not freeze at -31–32°C. The fruits, ripening in early summer, have small stones that easily separate from the sugary pulp.

Choosing the right variety isn't difficult; you can find reviews and photos on forums these days. You can also consult a specialist who can help you choose a seedling based on a photo to avoid making a mistake.

Reviews

According to reviews, fruit and berry trees in the Leningrad Region don't always produce a full harvest. If the berries don't ripen during the season, rationing is used, removing excess flowers. Harvest is rationed for young cherry trees. The first flowers appear three to four years after planting. These flowers are removed to preserve the vitality of the plant. Mature cherry trees do not require rationing.

Antonina, Saint Petersburg

I've been growing Tyutchevka cherries for many years. My husband and I planted them first when we bought our country house. It's an easy-to-care-for tree. Regular watering and fertilization are sufficient. The yield is impressive every year. The whole family enjoys the berries. I can confidently recommend this cherry tree to residents of St. Petersburg. It's frost-hardy!

Peter, Vyborg district

I was seriously worried when I bought my dacha. The climate, as you can imagine, is difficult. It's hard to grow anything healthy or tasty. My friends bought a Leningrad Black cherry sapling. It was the first time I'd encountered this variety. I spent a long time collecting information about cherries and caring for the sapling. I built a shelter for the winter and fed it in the fall. I guess the tree has thanked me. Three years later, people were already eating the berries. And I didn't even plant any pollinators. Now the cherry tree has grown to a beautiful size, my beauty. If you love gardening, the harvest will delight you.

Karina, Vyborg

I heard it was quite possible to grow cherries here. So I decided to plant two trees at my dacha. I specifically looked for a variety suitable for the Leningrad region. At the nursery, they recommended Bryanochka and Leningrad blackI bought two seedlings with closed rootstocks. The trees took root well, and I harvested berries four years later. The fruits are ruby-red, just as good as those from the south. The plants overwinter well and don't freeze. Sweet cherries grow successfully if you choose a good variety and prepare them for winter. Everyone loves the care.

Cherries are a popular garden crop in the Leningrad Region, boasting numerous advantages. Gardeners in this region plant winter-hardy, self-fertile varieties in their gardens. The trees are easy to maintain, and their berries are sweet, juicy, and nutritious.