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Fruit Edible

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 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green
Summer Green Red
Autumn Green Gold
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to the UK
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

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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
  • 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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