Prunus avium 'Summer Sun' Cherry Tree - 12Ltr Pot
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Prunus avium 'Summer Sun' Cherry Tree - 12Ltr Pot is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Prunus avium 'Summer Sun' Cherry Tree - 12Ltr Pot
Prunus avium 'Summer Sun' Cherry Tree – 12Ltr Pot is a hardy, reliable sweet cherry tree that produces crops even in less favourable growing conditions. With firm, crunchy red cherries and exceptional flavour, this attractive variety is ideal for UK gardens, patios and home orchards where dependable fruit production is a priority.
Key Features
- Produces firm, crunchy cherries with outstanding sweet flavour
- Exceptionally hardy and reliable, even in challenging growing conditions
- Attractive bushy growth habit that's easy to maintain
- Suitable for gardens, patios and smaller growing spaces
- Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit
- Delivers improved yields when planted with compatible pollination partners
Product Description
Prunus avium 'Summer Sun' is a highly regarded sweet cherry variety valued for its hardiness, dependable cropping and excellent fruit quality. Developed at the renowned John Innes Centre in Norwich, this variety has become a popular choice among gardeners looking for a productive cherry tree capable of performing well across a wide range of UK growing conditions.
The tree produces attractive red to dark red cherries that ripen in mid-July. The fruits are firm, crunchy and exceptionally flavourful, making them ideal for eating fresh from the tree. Their excellent texture and rich sweetness have made Summer Sun a favourite among home fruit growers seeking premium-quality dessert cherries.
One of the standout qualities of Summer Sun is its ability to crop reliably even in less favourable locations where other cherry varieties may struggle. Its naturally bushy growth habit creates an attractive and manageable tree, making maintenance straightforward and harvesting easier. Although not fully self-fertile, it can set a reasonable crop on its own and will produce significantly heavier yields when planted near a compatible pollination partner.
The combination of reliable performance, excellent flavour and ornamental appeal has earned Summer Sun the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit, recognising its outstanding value for UK gardeners.
Specifications
- Botanical Name: Prunus avium 'Summer Sun'
- Common Name: Summer Sun Cherry Tree
- Brand: Frank P Matthews
- Pot Size: 12Ltr Pot
- Plant Type: Deciduous fruit tree
- Fruit Colour: Red to dark red
- Fruit Texture: Firm and crunchy
- Flavour: Sweet with excellent eating quality
- Uses: Eating fresh
- Picking Time: Mid July
- Pollination Group: 3
- Self-Fertility: Not self-fertile
- Growth Habit: Bushy and manageable
- Suitable For: Gardens, patios and orchards
- Award: RHS Award of Garden Merit
- Hardiness: Very hardy
Recommended Pollination Partners
For the best fruit production, plant alongside a compatible cherry variety such as:
- Cherry 'Celeste'
- Cherry 'Lapins'
- Cherry 'Cherokee'
- Cherry 'Morello'
- Cherry 'Skeena'
- Cherry 'Stella'
- Cherry 'Sunburst'
- Cherry 'Sweetheart'
- Cherry 'Waterloo'
Planting & Care Tips
- Plant in a sunny, sheltered location to encourage strong growth and fruit ripening.
- Grow in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter.
- Ensure a suitable pollination partner is nearby to maximise fruit production.
- Water regularly during dry periods, particularly while the tree is establishing.
- Feed annually with a balanced fruit tree fertiliser in spring.
- Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting if required.
- Prune lightly during summer to maintain shape and encourage healthy airflow.
Why Choose Prunus avium 'Summer Sun'?
For gardeners looking for a reliable cherry tree that performs well in a range of conditions, Prunus avium 'Summer Sun' Cherry Tree is an excellent choice. Its hardy nature, manageable growth habit and delicious crunchy cherries make it ideal for home orchards, kitchen gardens and patios, delivering rewarding harvests and exceptional flavour year after year.
About Us
About Us
We are a family run, independent Garden Centre, Farm Shop and Restaurant combined. We are proud to offer the very best gardening, home and outdoor living products alongside delicious, fresh, locally produced food and drink.
Awarded 'Best Garden Centre in the UK in 2018 & 2021 you can rest assured that we offer excellent products, plants and customer service.
Learn more about us and our story on the 'About Us' page.
Delivery
Delivery
Collect your order in-store, have it delivered to your door, or choose a convenient InPost Locker!
We aim to dispatch orders as quickly as possible using trusted couriers.
Your Questions Answered...
What are the delivery options and prices?
We offer Standard (3-5 working days) and Express (1-2 working days) delivery for a small additional charge.
- Postable items (e.g., seed packets, gift cards) - £2.95 via Royal Mail.
- Smaller, lighter items - £4.95 – £6.95.
- Larger, heavier, and fragile items - £9.95 – £19.95.
- Pallet deliveries (e.g., furniture) - from £69.95 (see kerbside pallet delivery details below).
The exact delivery charge is calculated at checkout based on your selected items.
New! Deliver to InPost Locker
Instead of home delivery, choose to collect your parcel from an InPost Locker near you.
- Delivery rates: £3.95 or £4.95 depending on item size.
- How it works: Choose InPost after completing your order. You'll receive a notification when your parcel is ready to collect.
- Collection options: Scan the QR code or open the locker remotely via the InPost app. If collecting from a shop, show your QR code to the staff.
- Collection time: You have 3 days to pick up your parcel. InPost will send a reminder 24 hours before expiry.
- Tracking: Track your parcel via the InPost app or the tracking link in your confirmation email.
Can someone else pick up my parcel?
Yes! Share your QR code or collection code (sent via email) along with your mobile number, and they can collect it for you.
Do I need ID to collect from an InPost Locker?
No, just scan the QR code in the app or your email. For InPost Shop collections, show the QR code to the staff.
Any more questions?
Visit InPost’s [help page](#) for more details or check their blog for tips and updates.
How do I track my delivery?
Once your order is dispatched, you'll receive an email with tracking details.
Who delivers my order?
Depending on size and weight, orders are delivered by Royal Mail, Evri, or Parcelforce. Furniture and large items arrive via kerbside pallet delivery.
What is kerbside pallet delivery?
Large items like furniture are delivered on a pallet using a heavy goods vehicle. The pallet is placed at the nearest safe kerbside location. The driver cannot move it across uneven ground or remove the items from the pallet.
We can arrange a delivery date that suits you. If access for large vehicles is difficult, please let us know in advance.
What should I do if my order arrives damaged?
If your order is damaged in transit, email us a photo and your order number within 24 hours so we can resolve the issue.
Do you deliver to Northern Ireland?
Yes, though some larger or heavier items may incur a surcharge. Unfortunately, we cannot ship plants to Northern Ireland at this time.
Do any UK areas have a delivery surcharge?
Additional delivery charges may apply for:
- Channel Islands
- Northern Ireland
- Scottish Highlands & Islands
- Isle of Man & Isle of Wight
- Scilly Isles
What is the warranty on my purchase?
All products come with a manufacturer’s warranty (typically 12 months unless stated otherwise). Faulty items within the warranty period may be repaired or replaced subject to the manufacturer’s terms.
Still have questions?
Contact us via our enquiry form, call 01497 847055, or email shoponline@oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk.
Returns
Returns
How do I return an item?
If a purchase is no longer required you are able to return the goods within 28 days of delivery for a full refund in accordance with our refunds policy set out in Clause 10 of our Terms & Conditions. We will refund any money received from you using the same method originally used by you to pay for your purchase. Please make sure that you include the sales order or invoice with your return.
When returning items to us, please ensure that any and all original packaging, instructions, tags etc are included as supplied to you. We recommend using a recorded/insured service to return your order. The Old Railway Garden Centre cannot be held responsible for returned items lost or damaged in transit to us.
