I'm looking to plant Evans Cherry trees in my backyard. Would anybody know if any nursery in Ottawa area have these? Are they suitable for Ottawa, Ontario? Would other types sour cherry trees be better of here? Any help would be appreciated.
Going by the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Ottawa is in zone 4, which is around the northern limit of most cultivars. From what I've read, Evans is very hardy and productive. You may also consider Early Richmond, Meteor, and Northstar. I can't help much with finding a nursery, but if you don't find one locally, then you could find a good mail-order nursery for next season -- bareroot trees will be shipped the following spring. I found a DNA Gardens, Alberta, by a quick google search on Evans cherry. I am glad you posted this, because I had not heard of Early Richmond before I found it searching for what cultivars would do okay in zone 4. Thanks!
The Ottawa urban area is zone 5a, as evident by the selection of trees growing at the Dominion arboretum. The suburbs and rural area drop to 4b and the Gatineau Hills closer to 4a or even 3b. As for hardiness, the same DNA Gardens in Alberta, is growing them in Alberta. Hardiness will not be a problem. I don't have any info though on which nurseries carry it.
I bought an Eavan Cherry plant from DNA nursery ifrom Alberta this past summer: http://www.dnagardens.com/ They are a mail order company. They were very good to deal with. I will know next year how good Evan is as far as fruiting is concerned. The other source is 'Shallow Creek Nurseries" in Alberta (Google with this name for website access). Their prices are better. In Ottawa you may contact "Nesbit Greenhouse Nursery in Aylmer 819-684-5877 to arrange for you. You may also order at "Make it Green Garden Centre 613-599-3419 Kanata... high priced). It is not just the survival of the plant that matters but pollination and fruit set-up becomes an issue if bloom occurs before bees and other bugs become active in Zone 5 otherwise Evan is self-fertile. I do not think it will be a problem with Evan Cherry in Ottawa. I am also growing a Northstar cherry which has been fruiting for a number of years for me and Evan is considered to be a bit hardier than Narthstar. Now I am looking for a nursery that sells "Rainier" cherry (backyard gardening is for fun and challenge). If anyone knows a source for "Rainier Cherry", please let me know. Also, if anyone has fig cuttings to share, I will compensate for shipping etc. etc.
Howdy Gtoni, I do not know what's your landscape plan for your yard. If you want an Evans, most nurseries across Canada carry this cultivar in spring. Or go to your nearest nursery and place an order now, if you are not sure. In my personal opinion, there are better selections. Two of my favourites are Crimson Passion and Carmine Jewel that were recently released by the University of Saskatchewan. Unlike the Evans and others that are tree form, these are bushes. They also have very dark coloured meat and juice with higher soluble solids although they have lower melatonin content. (Please don;t quote me on the last point as I'm not very sure.) All the UofS releases are available at DnA Gardens and The Saskatoon Farm. The latter is in DeWinton, Alberta. Sorry I don't have their addresses but both have websites and they will mail plants to you. So please do a google search. You will have to be quick as these new selections sell out quickly. Peace Thean
I agree with Thean on S of U cherries. At one time I ordered the whole set of U of S develped series of cherries including Crimoson Passion and Carmine Jewel from DNA but because of space I cancelled most of the S of U series except Rose Cherry and Evans. The "Rose Cherry" is now potted it in a big pot. I hope it survives in a pot in Zone 5a here. Alongside Roase Cherry and Evans, I bought from DNA the CHUM series of "Cherry-Plums" and Honerberry series (Fruiting Honeysuckle). All of the above hardy cherries are either tart or semi-tart cherries. I still have one hole space reserved and ready for a "Rainier Cherry". I know it is not as hardy as Evan and Northstar but it is a pretty, sweet cherry and a challenge to grow in Zone 5a. I will love to hear from someone who knows a mail order source in Canada, or I will even travel a couple of hundred of kilometers from Ottawa if it is not a mail order source. Spring is only 80 days away!
Here's the link for the Saskatoon Farm http://www.saskatoonfarm.com/ I highly recommend them as a supplier. Les
