Prunus avium 'Lapins' | 5 Litre Pot | 80cm - 90cm Height

Prunus avium ‘Lapins’ is a highly esteemed self-fertile sweet cherry tree, celebrated for its abundant, large, dark red fruits and reliable performance in UK gardens.

This exceptional cherry cultivar brings the joy of home-grown sweet cherries directly to your garden. Originating from Canada, ‘Lapins’ has earned its reputation for being a resilient and productive tree. Gardeners across the UK value its self-fertile nature, which means you only need one tree to ensure a generous harvest. Furthermore, its beautiful spring blossom adds significant ornamental appeal before the delicious fruit even begins to develop.

• Self-fertile, ensuring a reliable crop with just one tree.
• Produces large, dark red, sweet and juicy cherries.
• Ripens in late July to early August in the UK.
• Ornamental white spring blossoms attract pollinators.
• Deciduous tree offering seasonal interest.
• Good disease resistance, making it relatively easy to grow.

Discover the Delight of Prunus avium ‘Lapins’

The Prunus avium ‘Lapins’ is a widely popular sweet cherry tree, cherished for its outstanding qualities. This particular cultivar arose from a cross between ‘Van’ and ‘Stella’ at the Summerland Research Station in British Columbia, Canada, back in 1970. It quickly gained favour for its excellent fruit quality and robust nature. The name ‘Lapins’ itself honours Dr. Karl Lapins, a distinguished cherry breeder at the research station, acknowledging his significant contributions to fruit horticulture.

Seasonal Beauty and Abundant Harvest

As spring arrives in the UK, the ‘Lapins’ cherry tree transforms. It covers its branches with a spectacular display of delicate white blossoms. These flowers not only signal the promise of summer fruits but also provide a vital early nectar source for bees and other beneficial insects. Consequently, your garden buzzes with life, aiding in the essential pollination process. Following the vibrant floral show, the tree develops its glossy green leaves, which provide a verdant backdrop through the summer months. Then, from late July into early August, the magic truly happens as the tree becomes laden with its famous fruit. These are notably large, heart-shaped cherries, presenting a deep, rich red skin and sweet, firm flesh. They are ideal for eating fresh from the branch, baking, or preserving.

Enhancing Your Garden with ‘Lapins’ Cherry

Planting a ‘Lapins’ cherry tree offers both aesthetic appeal and practical benefits. It forms an attractive medium-sized deciduous tree, perfect as a specimen plant in a lawn or integrated into a mixed border. Its upright habit makes it a good choice for smaller gardens too, especially when managed with appropriate pruning. For example, gardeners often prune cherry trees in summer after fruiting to maintain their shape, manage size, and encourage more fruit production the following year. This practice also helps prevent silver leaf disease, which is a concern for Prunus species if pruned in winter. Furthermore, beyond human enjoyment, the ‘Lapins’ cherry tree offers ecological value. Its spring blossoms support a diverse range of pollinators, including honeybees and bumblebees. Moreover, while you will want to protect your ripening crop, some fruits left for birds can provide a welcome treat for garden wildlife, further enriching your outdoor space.