Prunus 'Athos' (F)

cherry 'Athos'
A self-fertile sweet cherry cultivar producing abundant white blossom in spring that is followed by dark red fruit with sweet flesh. Naturally less vigorous reaching 2-3m, suitable for growing in a sizeable container. Cropping season: early July. Pollination group 3
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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | White | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | Red | ||
Autumn | Green Gold | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile soil in full sun. This naturally dwarf bush can be grown in a container and can easily be netted against bird damage and protected from frosts. See sweet cherry cultivation advice and fruit in containers
Propagation
Propagate by chip budding or grafting on clonal rootstock for fruit
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Edible fruit
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
See sweet cherry cultivation advice for pruning of bush cherries. Train fan-trained trees in spring. Prune established fans and carry out routine pruning on established cherry trees when harvesting the fruits in summer
Pests
May be susceptible to cherry blackfly, pear and cherry slugworm and winter moth caterpillar. The fruit can be damaged by spotted wing drosophila and birds
Diseases
May be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus
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