Royal Rainier Cherry Tree | Yellow Red Sweet Cherry

Royal Crimson Cherry

15 Gallon

$199.00

$199.00 $0.00

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Royal Crimson Cherry

Cherry 'Royal Rainier'

A premium yellow cherry with exceptionally sweet, honey-like flavor and beautiful red-blushed skin.

$199.00

$199.00 $0.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Royal Rainier Cherry is a superior yellow cherry variety prized for its exceptionally sweet flavor, firm texture, and beautiful blushed skin. An improved selection of the classic Rainier cherry, this cultivar offers all the beloved characteristics of its parent—crisp, honey-sweet yellow flesh with a delicate pink blush—with enhanced size, firmness, and disease resistance . The medium-to-large, heart-shaped fruit ripens to a golden-yellow skin with a vibrant red blush, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious. A vigorous, productive tree with attractive spring blossoms, it is an excellent choice for home orchards and commercial growers seeking a premium sweet cherry.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Oval, serrated green leaves with pointed tips; clusters of showy, fragrant, white to pink-tinged flowers in mid-spring .
Fruit: Medium-to-large, heart-shaped cherries with golden-yellow skin blushed with bright red; firm, crisp, pale yellow flesh with exceptionally sweet, honey-like flavor; ripens in late spring to early summer (typically late May to early June) .
Mature Height: 15-20 ft (standard)
Mature Spread: 15-20 ft
Growth Rate: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: USDA 5-9 ; Sunset 2-3, 6-9, 14-15
Light Requirement: Full sun
Core Benefits: Exceptionally sweet flavor, firm crisp texture, beautiful blushed skin, productive, improved disease resistance
Best Uses: Fresh eating, fruit salads, desserts, canning, gourmet dishes

Q: How does Royal Rainier differ from standard Rainier cherry?
A: Royal Rainier offers several improvements over standard Rainier: 1) Larger fruit size with a more pronounced red blush. 2) Firmer flesh with better handling and storage characteristics. 3)Earlier ripening (3-5 days earlier). 4) Improved disease resistance and vigor . The flavor remains the classic honey-sweet Rainier profile.

Q: What pollinators work best for Royal Rainier?
A: Royal Rainier requires a compatible sweet cherry pollinator. Excellent choices include 'Bing', 'Black Tartarian', 'Van', 'Lambert', and 'Lapins' . It is not reliably pollinated by sour cherries or ornamental flowering cherries. Plant pollinators within 50 feet for optimal fruit set .

Q: When is the fruit ready to harvest?
A: Royal Rainier typically ripens in late May to early June, depending on your climate . The fruit is ready when the skin has developed its characteristic golden-yellow color with a red blush, and the fruit easily comes off the stem with a gentle twist. Taste-testing is the best indicator of readiness.

Q: How much chill does Royal Rainier need?
A: It requires approximately 500 chill hours (hours below 45°F/7°C) . This moderate requirement makes it suitable for a wide range of climates within USDA zones 5-9, from cooler northern regions to milder southern areas with sufficient winter chilling.

Q: How should I prune a Royal Rainier cherry tree?
A: Prune in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant. Use a central leader or modified central leader training system for sweet cherries. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Thin out crowded growth to improve air circulation and light penetration. Sweet cherries fruit on spurs and older wood, so avoid heavy pruning that removes significant fruiting wood .

Q: Is it self-pollinating?
A: No, Royal Rainier is self-sterile and requires a compatible pollinator to produce fruit . Planting a single tree will not yield cherries. Be sure to include a suitable pollinator variety when planting .