Varieties of Cherry Trees in Vancouver

• Bing cherries are dark red in color and grow in Vancouver. Inti St. Clair/Photodisc/Getty Images

  Vancouver, Canada is an area close to the north border of Washington State. The city is categorized as being in U.S. Department of Agriculture growing zones 8a and 8b, which means most types of cherry trees will easily grow in that climate. In fact, many types of cherry trees popularly found in Canada are cold-hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zone 3.

Evans Cherry (Prunus cerasus "Evans")

• The Evans cherry tree is the most popular cherry tree in Canada, according to Canada.com. This tree, which produces masses of white flowers in the spring and later, clusters of large, round cherries, is cold-hardy to USDA plant hardiness zone 3. It grows from coast to coast in Canada and thrives in the milder winters of the Vancouver area. The tree is known for its vigorous growth and is propagated easily from suckers. The sour cherries are used for cooking and baking.

Weeping Higan Cherry (Prunus subhirtella "Pendula")

• This cherry tree is most desirable for its ornamental value. The tree has a dramatically showy, weeping form. In the spring, it is covered with light pink flowers. In the summer, the weeping Higan features glossy, dark-green leaves, which turn a brilliant yellow when fall arrives. This cherry tree grows well to USDA zone 8, according to the University of Florida, which makes it a good choice for Vancouver residents, but not for Canadians who live in colder parts of the country. The cherries, although edible, are not tasty.

Montmorency (Prunus cerasus "Montmorency")

• Montmorency is a very old variety of the sour cherry tree. Like many sour cherries, it is cold-hardy to USDA zone 3. Montmorency has been around for a long time--over 100 years, according to Canada Gardens--and is easy to find on the market. The tree blooms in early spring and produces large, yellow-fleshed cherries with bright red skin that are most commonly used in baking.

Bing Cherry (Prunus avium "Bing")

• Bing cherries are one of the best-known sweet cherries. Unlike sour cherries, sweet cherries are only cold-hardy to USDA zone 8, much like ornamental cherry trees. Still, this means they can be grown in Vancouver. Bing cherry trees have a pleasingly rounded shape and bloom with attractive pink flowers in the spring. The cherries are dark red, with a tasty flavor, and are attractive to birds.