Type
sweet, needs pollinizer
Cherry variety
Rainier Cherry
A premium yellow cherry blushed with red, prized for exceptionally sweet, delicate flavor. It requires a compatible pollinizer and benefits from bird protection.
Season
mid summer
Best for
fresh eating
About Rainier
Rainier is a premium sweet cherry with yellow skin blushed red and very sweet, delicate, pale flesh. It is a Bing and Van cross and is prone to bird damage because of its conspicuous color.
Growing Rainier Cherry
Rainier is not self-fertile and needs a compatible pollinizer, but it cannot be used to pollinate Bing. Harvest when the blush is well developed and fruit is sweet, and cover trees with netting before color change.
Full growing guide
For planting, care, pollination, and harvest that apply to all cherry, see the complete guide.
How to grow CherryOther cherry varieties
Variety characteristics are general guidance for US home gardens; chill hours, hardiness, and pollination vary, so confirm suitability for your zone. Availability differs by supplier. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.