'Regina' Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) - hardy fruit tree - 21 cm pot - Height 90 cm

The Regina variety (Prunus avium 'Regina') is considered partially self-fertile, but the presence of a compatible sweet cherry tree nearby considerably improves fruit set and yield. To obtain an abundant harvest, it is advisable to plant another cherry tree from a compatible flowering group within bee range, such as 'Summit' or 'Kordia'. In a city garden, neighboring cherry trees may be sufficient to ensure cross-pollination. In the absence of pollinators, you will still get some fruit, but in smaller quantities.

The potted Regina cherry tree can be planted in the ground in l'autumn (f'rom october to November) or in spring as soon as the frosts have passed (March-April). Autumn planting is often preferred because it allows the 'tree to develop its roots before the summer heat. Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and amend it with mature compost. Water thoroughly at planting, then mulch around the base. The first few weeks are crucial: maintain consistent moisture to promote establishment.

Yes, the Regina cherry tree can be grown in a large container on a very sunny terrace or balcony, provided you'choose a pot of'at least 50 to 60 liters to allow for sufficient root development. Use a well-draining potting mix enriched with compost, and water regularly, as the roots cannot reach'moisture deep underground as they would in the ground. Apply a fruit tree fertilizer in spring and early'summer to support fruit production. In a pot,'the tree will naturally remain smaller, which also makes harvesting easier.

Regina cherries generally ripen in June-July, depending on the climate and region. T'hey are o'ne of the latest varieties among sweet cherries, which gives them an advantage: they often escape the spring rains that cause the fruit to'burst. A ripe Regina cherry is recognizable by its dark red, almost burgundy color, its firm flesh, and how easily it detaches from the stem. It is better to pick in several passes because the fruit at the'inside of the'tree ripens a little later than those exposed to the sun.

The Regina sweet cherry (Prunus avium) can be affected by brown rot (fruit rot), bacterial canker, or even Eutypa dieback on branches pruned at the wrong time of year. The cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cerasi) is the main pest: its larvae bore into the fruit. To limit these problems, prune only after harvest or in late winter, remove mummified fruit, and place pheromone traps to control the cherry fruit fly from early spring. Good sunlight and good airflow through the canopy naturally reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

When grown in the ground, a Regina Cherry Tree (Prunus avium 'Regina') can reach a height of 4 to 8 meters at maturity, depending on the vigor of the rootstock used and growing conditions. Plants on semi-dwarf rootstock (Gisela 5 or Colt) remain more compact, around 3 to 4 meters, which makes harvesting easier. Growth is considered moderate: allow a few years before achieving a truly abundant yield. Training in the first few years helps shape the tree and optimize fruit production.

Yes, the Regina cherry tree is fully hardy throughout all of France. It can withstand winter temperatures regularly falling below -15°C without damage to the wood. However, like all cherry trees, it is sensitive to late spring frosts, which can kill the flower buds and compromise the year's harvest. If your region is prone to late frosts in March and April, temporary protection of the flowers (a light forcing cover) can preserve the harvest. When planted in the ground, no winter protection is necessary for the tree itself.