Prunus cerasus Hong kong - Tart Cherry Tree

Prunus cerasus 'Hong Kong' is a variety of cherry tree that is ideal for small gardens. With its columnar habit and compact size (3 to 4m (10 to 13ft) tall), it can even be grown in a container on a patio. Its highly decorative white flowering in April evolves into beautiful bright red, crisp and sweet cherries. It bears fruit after 2 to 3 years of planting, and it is a self-fertile variety that does not need another cherry tree in the garden to bear fruit. It adapts to most soils and is tolerant to watering (except during periods of high heat). This variety is resistant to diseases.

Prunus cerasus (also known as sour cherry) and the sweet cherry P. avium are the two main species that have given rise to most of the sweet fruit cherries cultivated in our gardens. They belong to the Rosaceae family, one of the most important under our latitudes, both for fruit and ornamental gardens, as well as for wild flora. It is a medium-sized tree, reaching 5 to 10m (16 to 33ft) in height at maturity. Its rounded habit provides a beautiful shaded space, which is very pleasant during summer. Its alternate and toothed leaves are shiny and dark green, turning a beautiful reddish colour in autumn before falling. Cherries are rich in vitamin C, minerals, and trace elements.

'Hong Kong' forms a small tree with a columnar habit, reaching 3 to 4m (10 to 13ft) in height and only 60cm (24in) in width. In April, it is covered with an abundance of white flowers, rivalling flowering cherry trees. After pollination by insects, they produce beautiful bright red, sweet and crisp cherries. Harvesting starts in the 2nd or 3rd year of planting (fruit production becomes optimal after 5 to 7 years). Cherries should be picked when fully ripe, as they do not ripen after harvest.

This cherry tree can be planted in most garden soils, tolerating acidity and limestone without excess. Once rooted, it is also tolerant to watering, but occasional watering is always useful, especially during extended hot periods. It will need regular watering if planted in a container, as the growing conditions are much drier than in open ground and the plant cannot access water from the soil. This hardy variety can withstand temperatures down to -20°C (-4°F). It requires staking. It only needs light pruning to maintain its narrow habit. Stone fruit trees do not appreciate pruning, as it can trigger gummosis, a resin production in response to stress. Therefore, it is best to simply shorten the tips of green shoots in early August. Another important precaution is to check the stakes every year to avoid strangling the trunk. Rubber ties should be used. Regularly loosen the soil to avoid hindering the growth of the main axis.

It can be planted on a lawn, at the back of a bed, or in an orchard. It is important to be vigilant in spring, as the flowering is very sensitive to frost (damage can occur at -2°C (28.4°F)). Thanks to its columnar shape, this variety is very easy to protect by using a non-woven fabric cover with a density of 30 g/m² to wrap around the foliage. 'Hong Kong' can be mixed with ornamental plants in a diverse bed, leaving sufficient space around it to allow light to reach the fruits and to enable easy picking. Low-growing shrubs will be good companions, such as Japanese Spirea 'Crispa', an ornamental plant with pink flowers in summer. You can also create a small orchard in a limited space by planting small fruits such as currants or gooseberries nearby.