Cherry Morello

Cherry Morello

The Cherry Morello is the classic cooking cherry — a versatile and incredibly useful fruit tree that thrives where few others will. One of the very few fruit trees that performs well in shade, Morello is the perfect choice for a north-facing wall or a spot that doesn't get full sun. Tart, richly flavoured and deeply coloured, Morello cherries are the backbone of some of the finest preserves, liqueurs and desserts in the British kitchen.

About the Fruit

Morello cherries are medium-sized, deep red to almost black when fully ripe, with firm flesh and a rich, sharp flavour that intensifies beautifully when cooked. They are superb for jams, cherry brandy, kirsch, clafoutis, Black Forest cake and bottled cherries. They can also be eaten fresh when fully ripe and sweet from the tree.

Growing Information

• Self-fertile — produces good crops without a pollinator
• One of the few fruit trees that tolerates partial or even full shade — ideal for north-facing walls
• Hardy and reliable — one of the easiest cherries to grow in the UK
• Naturally compact habit — well suited to fan training against a wall or fence
• Harvest from July to August when fruit is deep red and fully ripe
• Excellent disease resistance

Planting Tips

Plant in any aspect — Morello is uniquely tolerant of shade and is the ideal candidate for a north or east-facing wall. Water well during the first growing season and mulch around the base. Prune after fruiting in late summer to maintain shape and encourage new fruiting wood. Net the tree as fruit ripens to protect from birds.