Flowering Cherries

• Flowering cherry trees come in many sizes. They are valued as landscape ornamentals because of their beautiful, delicate spring flowers. Popular small varieties growing under 30 feet tall include Amanogawa, Kwanzan, Shirofugen and Shirotae. Weeping varieties have a graceful habit, with branches hanging down off of the tree like long hair. Snow Fountain (Prunus spp. 'Snofozan') is a weeping cherry that will fit nearly anywhere in USDA Zones 5 to 8, as it grows only 6 to 12 feet tall.
  
  

Sour Cherries

• Prunus cerasus is a variety of cherry native to the Black and Caspian Sea areas. Also known as pie cherries or tart cherries, these trees are regularly grown for cherries used in jellies, jams and pies. A dwarf hybrid variety developed at the University of Saskatchewan, SK Carmine Jewel (a Zone 1 area), is readily available through garden centers and catalogs. It tends to remain under 10 feet and will grow in a variety of conditions, though hardiness testing is ongoing. Many tart cherries are hardy as far south as USDA Zone 6, and most are very cold-hardy.
  
  

Sweet Cherries

• Prunus avium is known as the sweet cherry. Sweet cherries are flavored differently than sour cherries, but do not necessarily contain more sugar. They are best for eating from the tree and are the kind of cherries most commonly found in the supermarket. Northstar is a genetic dwarf variety reaching upwards of 10 feet.
  
  

Naking Bush Cherries

• Prunus tomentosa is an unusual variety of cherry, preferring a bush habit and growing very dense. It is a commonly used hedge plant that is just now coming into favor as a fruit-producing ornamental. It grows between 9 and 15 feet tall, with a similar spread. The Naking cherry does well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 6. The fruit of this plant varies in flavor, but most resemble tart cherries.