Cherry (Sweet)
Can I Grow Stella?
Stella was the first self-fertile sweet cherry, making it possible to grow cherries in small gardens without a second tree. Dark, sweet, and productive with good disease resistance.
Growing Requirements
Chill Hours
400
Hardiness Zones
5-6-7-8-9
Harvest
June to July
Results
Enter your zip code to see if Stella will thrive in your area.
About Stella
Stella was the first self-fertile sweet cherry, making it possible to grow cherries in small gardens without a second tree. Dark, sweet, and productive with good disease resistance.
Stella requires 400 chill hours — the number of hours between 32°F and 45°F during winter dormancy. Without enough chill, the tree may fail to flower properly or produce poor fruit.
Common Challenges
Flavor is good but not as complex as Bing; fruit is softer and doesn't store as long.
Common Misconception
Will Stella produce more fruit in colder climates?
Not necessarily. Stella only needs 400 chill hours. Planting in very cold zones (4 or colder) risks winter damage without improving fruit production. The ideal zones are 5-9 where the tree gets enough chill without excessive cold stress.
Other Cherry (Sweet) Varieties
Chill hour data from ERA5 reanalysis (Copernicus/ECMWF). Variety information compiled from university extension services.