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Cherries
Napoleon Cherry
✓ VerifiedAlso known as: Royal Ann
Europe (18th century)
Napoleon, also widely known as Royal Ann in North America, is an 18th-century European heirloom with a centuries-long cultivation history, and it became commercially significant in the 20th century as the standard cherry used for maraschino cherries — its pale, mild flesh takes dye and syrup better than darker-skinned varieties, which is why maraschino production relies on it rather than Bing or other deep-red cherries.
Submitted by @system · 10 days ago
Counts toward the overall Top Tier Fruit list — every category's votes are compared the same way.
Growing & Care
Hardiness zone
USDA Zones 5-8
Chill hours
~700 hours
Pollination
Needs a pollinator — notably does not cross-pollinate with Bing or Lambert.
Care info
A beautiful, historic variety, but pollination requires careful pairing since it's intersterile with several common varieties.
Recommendations
Check pollination compatibility carefully — this variety needs a specific partner.
Flavor Profile
Sweet with a milder flavor than dark-skinned cherries; the traditional maraschino cherry base
Quick facts
Skin color
Yellow with red blush
Size
Medium to large
Hardiness zone
USDA Zones 5-8
Chill hours
700