Semi Dwarf Sweet Cherry Tree – ‘Kordia’

Fruit Type: Sweet Cherry
Botanical Name: Prunus avium ‘Kordia’
Fruit Colour: Deep red to almost black
Growth Habit: Semi dwarf deciduous fruit tree grafted onto slow-growing rootstock
Final Height: Approx. 4–5 m
Expected Yield: Approx. 15–30 kg per season once mature
Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Fertile, well-drained soil
Pollination: Not self-fertile; compatible pollinators include Bigarreau Van, Hedelfinger Riesenkirsche, Schneiders Späte Knorpelkirsche, Regina, or Sunburst
Hardiness: Hardy to approx. −25°C; blossoms may be sensitive to late spring frost

‘Kordia’ is one of the most highly regarded sweet cherry cultivars, valued for its exceptional fruit quality, firm texture, and rich flavour. It is widely appreciated by both gardeners and professional fruit growers for its dependable performance and excellent eating characteristics.

This variety produces large, glossy cherries in deep red to almost black tones. The flesh is firm, juicy, and intensely flavoured, making it ideal for fresh consumption as well as baking and preserving. Harvest typically takes place in mid to late summer depending on seasonal warmth and local growing conditions. The fruits are also well known for their good resistance to cracking during wetter weather.

This cherry grows as a semi dwarf fruit tree, remaining more manageable than traditional full-sized cherry trees while still producing generous yields. The controlled size is achieved through grafting onto a slow-growing rootstock, a technique widely used in professional orchards to regulate tree height and support consistent fruit production.

In spring the tree produces abundant white blossoms that attract bees and other pollinators, creating an elegant ornamental display before the foliage fully develops.

‘Kordia’ is not self-fertile and requires a compatible sweet cherry variety nearby for reliable pollination and fruit set. Suitable pollinators from our assortment include Bigarreau Van, Hedelfinger Riesenkirsche, Schneiders Späte Knorpelkirsche, Regina, and Sunburst.

Sweet cherries thrive in sunny positions with fertile, well-drained soil. A warm, sheltered location with good air circulation supports healthy growth and proper fruit development.

We select our fruit trees with winter hardiness in mind, ensuring suitability for reliable outdoor cultivation in our climate.

With proper care and placement, ‘Kordia’ becomes a productive and long-lived fruit tree, rewarding gardeners with generous harvests of large, richly flavoured cherries.

All trees are sold and delivered as 2–3 year old trees, similar to those supplied to commercial orchards, in jute bags filled with rich Dutch soil, depending on availability and variety.