Stella Cherry Tree for Sale

If you have always wanted to grow your own cherries but have been put off by the need for multiple trees, the Stella Cherry is the answer. Unlike many cherry varieties that require a cross-pollinator to set fruit, the Stella is self-fertile — a single tree will produce a satisfying crop on its own.

The Stella Cherry was developed in Canada and has since earned a devoted following among home gardeners for its dependable, reliable cropping and good crack resistance. The fruit is medium-sized and deep red, with firm, juicy flesh and a classic sweet cherry flavour. It ripens from late November — one of the earlier-harvesting sweet cherry varieties — giving you access to home-grown cherries at the start of summer.

Cherries are one of the more demanding fruit trees to grow successfully in South Africa. They require cold winters with enough chilling hours to break dormancy and set fruit, and they dislike hot, dry or humid summer conditions. That makes them best suited to the cooler, higher-altitude regions — the Western Cape highlands, the Drakensberg foothills of the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga, and parts of the Free State. In the right conditions, however, a well-established Stella Cherry tree is a beautiful and productive garden specimen that rewards its care generously.

Feed monthly with pelletised manure and a 6:1:5 fertiliser. Keep consistently moist during the growing season and ensure the soil is deep, well-drained and slightly acidic.