Cherry (Sweet)
Rainier Pollination Guide
Rainier requires a compatible pollination partner to produce fruit.
Without a different compatible variety nearby, Rainier will bloom but won't set fruit. You need at least one partner variety planted within 50–100 feet. Choose from the compatible varieties listed below — they bloom at the right time and have compatible genetics.
Rainier Quick Facts
Chill Hours
700 hours
Hardiness Zones
5, 6, 7, 8
Harvest
June to July
Pollination Note
S1S4 genotype — compatible with Bing (S3S4). Stella and Lapins are universal pollinators.
Planning Your Orchard
For sweet cherry pollination, the easiest approach is to plant a self-fertile variety like Stella or Lapins alongside Rainier. These "universal donor" cherries can pollinate any other sweet cherry. Space cherry trees 20–30 feet apart. If space is limited, consider a multi-grafted tree with compatible varieties on one rootstock.
Keep a record of every tree you plant — variety, rootstock, location.
Start your free tree log →Compatible Pollination Partners
Can I Grow Rainier?
Check if your climate has enough chill hours for Rainier. Enter your zip code for an instant answer.
Check your zip code →Interactive Pollination Checker
Compare pollination compatibility across all 60+ fruit tree varieties in our database.
Open checker →Most people forget within a year.
Which pairs fruited well, what bloomed when, what you did each season — write it down from the start.
Free for up to 30 plants. No card needed.
About Rainier
Rainier is the premium yellow-red cherry with delicate sweetness and lower acidity than dark varieties. It commands the highest prices at farmers' markets but is notoriously difficult to grow.
Growing Challenges
Birds devastate the crop (yellow color attracts them); extremely prone to rain cracking and brown rot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rainier self-fertile?
No, Rainier requires a compatible pollination partner. Self-fertile varieties like Stella and Lapins are the easiest partners — they can pollinate any sweet cherry variety.
How close does a pollinator need to be to Rainier?
For reliable pollination, plant the partner variety within 50–100 feet of Rainier. Bees are the primary pollinators and typically work within this range. In practice, a tree in your yard or even a neighbor's nearby tree can work. The closer the trees, the more consistent the fruit set.
Can I grow just one Rainier tree?
No — Rainier requires a compatible pollination partner to produce fruit. Without a second tree of a different variety nearby, it will bloom but won't set fruit.
Other Cherry (Sweet) Varieties
Related Tools
Pollination Checker
Interactive tool to find compatible pollination partners for any fruit tree.
Can I Grow Rainier?
Check if your zip code has enough chill hours for this variety.
Chill Hour Checker
Validate chill hours for any fruit tree variety by zip code.
Frost Date Finder
Find your first and last frost dates to plan bloom protection.
Pollination data compiled from university extension services, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) pollination group charts, RosBREED cherry S-allele research, and nursery compatibility guides. Pollination compatibility can vary by region and microclimate. For best results, consult your local extension office.