Rainier is a very cold-hardy, Napoleon-type sweet cherry. It does well in zones 4-8 and requires a pollinizer. We recommend universal pollinizers such as White Gold, Black Gold, and Stardust. Rainier is also compatible with many other cherries including Bing, Van, Lapins, Lambert, Summit, Regina, and Burgundy Pearl. It will not cross pollinate with Ebony Pearl, Hudson, and Black Pearl. Rainier is susceptible to powdery mildew.

Large and sweet are the two adjectives that best describe this cherry. It does not ship well so it provides challenges for commercial growers, but if you are wanting a delicious cherry to have in your home orchard then Rainier is an excellent choice. It has thin gold skin that ripens with a red blush. The flesh is super sweet, up to 23% sugar. 

Popular in the Northeast, Rainier is named after Mount Rainier in Washington. It was developed by Harold Fogle as a cross between Van and Bing, and for about 20 years it was first primarily to pollinate Bing, before growers realized its commercial potential.