Prunus cerasus
Origin: Possibly Alaska, via Edmonton, Alberta
Improvement status: Cultivar
Seeds per packet: ~20
BOTANICAL SAMPLE - NOT GERMINATION TESTED
Life cycle: Perennial
'Evans' is a dwarf sour cherry with extreme cold-hardiness (Zone 3A!). The trees are self-fruitful and need not ever be grafted onto a rootstock. This famous tree was rediscovered in Alberta in the 1920s, but it's believed it may have Alaskan or Minnesotan origins. An excellent cherry for pies, jams, jellies, cider, wine, or vinegar!
Our seed comes from the good folks at Sheffield's Seed Company in Locke, NY.
GROWING TIPS: Do not crack the seeds open for best results. Stratification is required though. Soak in water for 24 hours then keep in lightly moist (but not wet) sand, peat, or potting soil in the fridge until spring. General guidelines for this species say 120 days cold stratification, but we have been storing them in the fridge (albeit dry) so you can probably get away with somewhat less than 120 days of you need. You may begin to see them sprouting in the fridge (we have noticed this with other sour cherries), in which case they're ready!
Photo from Wiki Commons, special thanks to: Montanabw