Prunus avium 'Grace Star' MAXIMA

MAXIMA is a modern, medium early, self-fertile cherry variety from Italy. It starts blooming only about 2 days later than Burlat (another medium-early variety) which helps the flowers escape cherry fruit flies that damage late hard-fleshed cherries by laying eggs inside from which are borne worms. MAXIMA is therefore usually worm-free. It produces large, thin-skinned, deep red and glossy fruits with pink, sweet, juicy, and semi-clingstone flesh. They ripen 10-14 days after Burlat, i.e. about mid July and are moderately resistant to rain-induced splitting.

Self-fertile means that it does not need a pollinating partner and you can have just one tree in the garden and there will always be fruit unless birds harvest it all. Moreover, it is a good pollinator for many other self-sterile early cheries commonly cultivated. MAXIMA cherry was developed in 1984 by S. Sansavini and S. Lugli at Università degli studi di Bologna, Italy, and introduced in 2001. European plant patent No. 20804 was granted in 2007.

It grows moderately into an evenly upright and spreading, strong tree. Cherry trees like slightly acidic, humus rich, well drained but moist soil. When the fruit is formed some extra watering is a help in dry seasons. Fully hardy to min. -29°C.

Last update 24-04-2024