The traditional Napoleon cherry remains deservedly popular to this day.
This variety also played a key role in the development of Stella, the first self-fertile cherry. As a result many modern cherries can trace their ancestry back to the Napoleon cherry.
Bigarreau Napoleon cherry identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Bigarreau Napoleon
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Offspring of this variety
- Lambert
- Merton Bigarreau
- Stella(distant descendant)
Visitor reviews
Tree register
United Kingdom
- David Scarle in NOTTINGHAM,
France
- Richard Borrie in Objat,
Spring blossom records for this variety
2025 season
- 3rd April 2025 - tree owned by Richard in Objat, France
2022 season
- 30th March 2022 - tree owned by Richard in Objat, France
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Origins
- Species: Prunus avium - Sweet cherry
- Originates from: United States
Identification
- Country of origin: Germany
- Period of origin: 1750 - 1799
- Fruit colour: Yellow / Red
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Best sellers
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking season: Early
- Keeping (of fruit): 1-3 days
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
- Cropping: Good
- Fruit persistence: Ripens over a period
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Picking period: late July
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Average
- Flowering group: 5
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Warm climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Other qualities
- Canker: Very susceptible
- Fruit splitting: Very susceptible
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Bigarreau Napoleon cherry trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Napoleon Bigarreau cherry trees - Thomas Fruit Trees (EU) France
Napoleon Bigarreau cherry trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.
References
- Fruit Expert
Author: Hessayon
As Napoleon Bigarreau