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rainier cherries nz

Experience the unbeatable sweetness and delicate flavour of Rainier cherries—now available to fruit lovers and home gardeners across New Zealand. If you’re searching for “rainier cherries nz”, you’ve found the ultimate guide to growing, enjoying, and sourcing this prized cherry variety for your NZ garden.

Cherry Rainier

The 'Rainier' Cherry is a popular variety that produces consistent yields of large, red-yellow fruit. The fruit produced in summer have a cream-yellow flesh and are both sweet and juicy. It does require another variety planted nearby (“a pollinator”) to produce fruit such as the varieties 'Bing' or 'Dawson'. This deciduous tree grows upright with a vase shape to about 5 m tall and 3 m wide, and produces the best yields when grown in full sun on a well-drained, sheltered site. Cherries require a cold winter to produce fruit, hence they are less suited to regions where winters tend to be mild. 'Rainier' is commonly used for fruit production and makes for an attractive, deciduous tree in its own right.

cherry-rainier-1
  • Suited to regions:
    Alpine, Temperate
  • Plant type:
    Fruit Trees
  • Height:
    5.00 m
  • Spread:
    3.00 m
  • Flowering time:
    Spring
  • Garden styles:
    Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
cherry-stella-2
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Cherry Stella

The 'Stella' Cherry is a popular variety due to its consistent yields of large, dark red-purple fruit in summer. The flesh is dark red, sweet, and...

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Cherry Lapins

The 'Lapins' Cherry produces consistent yields of large, dark red fruit in summer. The flesh is red, sweet, and juicy. It does not require another...

From$384.70
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Cherry Double Grafted Lapins and Dawson

This double grafted tree has two popular varieties that will also pollinate each other. This saves space and affords different fruit on the same...

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Cherry Compact Stella

'Compact Stella' is a popular cherry variety that produces good yields of large, dark red fruit in early summer. The flesh is light red, soft, and...

Cherry Tangshi orange-red fruit on a tree.
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Cherry Tangshi

The Cherry 'Tangshi' produces medium sized, red fruit in summer. The flesh is yellow with a sharp taste and often used for cooking. It does not...

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Olive Ascolano

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Apple Fuji (Fuji Apple)

The Fuji Apple variety is very popular due to fantastic fruit in autumn. The fruit are red with an orange blush and have flesh that is sweet, juicy...

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Pear William Bon Chretien

Pear William Bon Chretien is a popular variety due to its impressively flavoured fruit which ripen in late summer. The fruit have a green skin which...

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Apple Liberty (Liberty Apple)

The Liberty Apple tree bears medium sized fruit in autumn that are dark red with flesh that is crisp and firm, sweet, but also slightly tart. These...

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Apricot Sundrop

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Cherry Rainier

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What Makes Rainier Cherries Special?

Rainier cherries stand out for their beautiful golden yellow skin with a blush of red and their exceptionally sweet taste. Originating from Washington State, Rainier cherries have become a coveted fruit worldwide, and with proper care, they thrive in New Zealand’s climate. These cherries are not just delicious; they’re also packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, making them a nutritious snack straight from your backyard.

Growing Rainier Cherries in New Zealand

Wondering if Rainier cherries are suitable for your NZ garden? Rainier trees prefer sunny locations with well-draining soil. Choose a sheltered spot to protect your tree from strong winds and frost, and ensure regular watering—especially during flowering and fruit-setting periods. Regular pruning encourages healthy growth and improves air circulation, keeping your tree productive for years to come.

For successful pollination, plant your Rainier cherry alongside another compatible variety. Excellent pollinator options include Cherry Stella, Cherry Lapins, or the popular Cherry Tangshi. Many gardeners choose a double-grafted option like the Cherry Double Grafted Lapins and Dawson for abundant and varied harvests.

Fruit Uses and Harvest Tips

Rainier cherries are best enjoyed fresh, straight from the tree, but they’re also fantastic in desserts, preserves, and summer salads. Their firm flesh makes them easy to pit for recipes like clafoutis or cherry tarts. Harvest time typically falls in mid to late summer, once the fruit turns golden with a rosy blush and feels slightly soft to the touch.

Be sure to protect your crop from birds, who are also attracted to their vibrant colour and sweetness. Consider using netting as the cherries begin to ripen.

Explore More Fruit Trees for Your NZ Orchard

Building a diverse home orchard means you can enjoy fruit year-round. Alongside Rainier cherries, consider planting Cherry Compact Stella if you’re short on space, or choose an early and reliable variety like Cherry Lapins. Expanding beyond cherries, you might love Fig Brown Sugar, Plum Freedom, the disease-resistant Apple Winter Banana (Winter Banana Apple), or even a productive Olive Koroneiki (Koroneiki Olive Tree). Stone fruit fans shouldn’t overlook the delicious Nectarine Mabel.

Rainier Cherries NZ – A Sweet Addition to Any Garden

In summary, Rainier cherries offer both ornamental beauty and outstanding flavour for home fruit growers in New Zealand. With just a bit of care and the right companion plants, you’ll be harvesting baskets of these sought-after cherries in no time. Explore our range of pollinator-friendly cherries and other fruit trees, and start planning your dream orchard today.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

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