Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Prunus cerasus ‘Morello’

A cultivar of Prunus cerasus L. ‘Large, roundish, inclining to heart-shape. Skin dark red, becoming almost black the longer it hangs. Stalk an inch and a half to two inches long. Flesh purplish red, tender, juicy, and pleasantly sub-acid. Used for culinary purposes. July and August.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.60/1860].

 

 

Horticultural & Botanical History

Produces a vigorous tree but tends to lose vigour with age. A good to very good quality cherry which ripens late and hangs well on the tree. Seldom cracks. First rate kitchen fruit.  [Grubb].

‘The Morello cherry, one of the most useful in our collections, is mentioned by Parkinson in 1629, who says it is so called from its juice being like that of the Morus or Mulberry. In a favourable situation it will ripen its fruit well on a standard, but the crop is precarious. On an espalier, where it has plenty of sun, it succeeds perfectly; and on a north wall it ripens well and bears abundantly; but in this situation its fruit is too austere to be eaten raw, and consequently it is generally used for the purpose of preserving in brandy.

I would strongly recommend the Morello cherry to be planted against an east, south-east, or south wall, trained thinly, the branches at least six inches apart, not suffering them to be overloaded with fruit; which should be kept on the trees till it is perfectly ripe, or beginning to shrivel. It will then be found most excellent in the dessert. This is not the Cerisier très-fertile of Duhamel, nor do I find it in his collection. M. Noisette says he brought it to Paris from Brabant in 1807.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.147/1831].

Figured in Pomona Britannica PB pl.XIII/1812. An ancient variety.

 

 

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [Cherry no.9/1850]. Macarthur originally obtained the Morello cherry from J. Bailey, nurseryman of Adelaide, who acted as his agent in the new colony.  This introduction possibly failed.  Macarthur to John Bailey, 28th September 1844.  However Macarthur sold 8 morello Cherry trees to Bailey later on.

 

 

Notes

Published Apr 22, 2010 - 05:25 PM | Last updated Jul 23, 2011 - 04:43 PM

Figured is a fruiting branch with ovate leaves and numerous deep red cherries. Pomona Britannica pl.13, 1812.

Prunus cerasus ‘Morello’ | PB pl.XIII/1812

 

Family Rosaceae
Category
Region of origin

Garden origin, unknown

Synonyms
  • Black Morello
  • Dutch Morello
  • Late Morello
  • Ronald’s Large Morello
  • Milan

 

Common Name

Culinary Cherry, Dessert Cherry

Name in the Camden Park Record

Morello  

 

 

Confidence level high