Evans Sour Cherry

Prunus cerasus

Seeds per pack ~ 12

Germination: 91% (Packed for 2025)

'Evans' is a very special sour cherry with a fascinating history. Unlike any other known cherry in the world, this variety can survive the winter in Zone 3a! It grows to between 12 and 14 feet tall, which is shorter than most cherries, and it's so resilient it can survive on its own rootstock (meaning it does not need to be grafted). Seed-grown trees will not necessarily grow true, which means some might be slightly less cold-hardy, but also that some might be slightly more cold-hardy!

The fruit of this tree make excellent pies, jams, jellies, or wines, with a lovely pink juice. Wikipedians recount the history: "Ieuan Evans, who is a horticulturist, and was a specialist in plant disease and a research scientist for Alberta Agriculture, discovered a gardener, identified as "Mrs Bower," who lived northeast of Edmonton near Fort Saskatchewan. She had been growing cherry trees [now believed to perhaps trace to Alaska] which bore abundant fruit that dated to 1923. The orchard was being destroyed to make room to build a Federal jail, so Boward invited Evans to take some of the orchard's trees both for the Alberta Tree Nursery and for his personal use.

Evans discovered suckers from the cherry trees were easy to propagate and to grow so he distributed them to a wide circle of acquaintances and friends. Response from those growing the vigorous tree with its excellent fruit was very positive. However at that time, nurseries refused to sell the now-named Evans Cherry tree believing, despite the evidence, that cherries would not grow on the Canadian prairies. Eventually, nurseries like the DNA Gardens near Red Deer, Alberta began propagation and selling the trees. Later, a Winnipeg, Manitoba nursery began selling thousands of the trees, and at present they sell out every year."

Our Montana-grown seed comes from Sheffield's Seed Company in Locke, NY. Growing Info, follow in order: Scarification: Soak in water, let stand in water for 24 hours. Stratification: cold stratify for 120 days. Germination: sow 1" deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed.

GUIDELINES - FALL SOWING TREE SEEDS-PDF FOR PRINTING

KEEP SEEDS REFRIGERATED FOR LONG TERM STORAGE PRIOR TO SCARIFICATION TREATMENT BELOW.