Early Rivers cherry trees

Prunus avium

Early Rivers is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators

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Picking season: Very early
Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

Early Rivers is a traditional English dark red cherry variety, raised by the famous Rivers Nursery in Hertfordshire in the 1860s.

The flavour is very good, and this is one of the earliest cherries available - ripening in early June in the south of England.

Early Rivers organic cherry trees for sale

Next deliveries: December 2026

11 yeartree on Gisela 5 rootstock29.25€
Medium tree (2m-3.5m after 10 years) Bare-root
21 yeartree on Gisela 6 rootstock29.25€
Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years) Bare-root
31 yeartree on Mazzard Alkavo rootstock28.00€
Very large tree (5m-6m+ after 10 years) Bare-root

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Growing and Training

Early Rivers is a useful variety because it is very early ripening. However it flowers early and needs another compatible early-flowering variety to pollinate it.

Early Rivers characteristics

What level of gardening skill is needed to grow Early Rivers?Experienced - Fairly straightforward as long as you have another early-flowering pollinator.
Is Early Rivers self-fertile?Not self-fertile
What flowering group is Early Rivers?1
Picking periodearly July
What season do you pick Early Rivers?Very early
How long can you keep Early Rivers in a fridge?1-3 days
Food usesEating fresh
Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Where does Early Rivers originate from?United Kingdom
When was Early Rivers first introduced?1850 - 1899
What colour is the blossom of Early Rivers?White
Fruit colourRed - dark