Svitlana™ Cornelian Cherry Tree
An early ripening selection from the Kyiv Botanic Garden in Ukraine, Svitlana™ features good crops of large, very sweet and flavorful fruit. Disease-resistant and easy to grow, it is prized for its prolific display of yellow flowers in February, which are followed by abundant, dark red fruit in early fall. Formerly known by the cultivar name U-26.
A unique and attractive form of Dogwood, Cornelian Cherry is native to Ukraine and other regions around the Black Sea. Growing as a shrub or small tree, it is valued for its tasty fruit and for its ornamental value. Our unique Ukrainian varieties produce unusually large, sweet, and flavorful fruit. As an ornamental, Cornelian Cherry is prized for its very early, delicate flowers appearing in early March before the leaves, its yellow and red fall color, and it’s bright, red fruit, which taste like a Cherry or a wild Plum. Cornelian Cherry is good for fresh eating, preserves, juice, and wine.
Latin Name: Cornus mas cv. U-26
Site and Soil: Cornelian Cherry likes 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
RootstockDescription: Cornus Mas seedlings
Pollination Requirements: Plant Svitlana™ with another variety for cross-pollination and to ensure good crops.
Hardiness: Svitlana™ Cornelian Cherry is hardy to minus 30° F.
Bearing Age: 2-3 years after planting.
Size at Maturity: 8-15 ft. in height
Taste: Sweet
Fruit Skin: Red
Bloom Time: February-March
Ripening Time: Late August-Early September
Yield: 20-30 lbs.
Pests & Diseases: Svitlana™ is resistant to Dogwood Anthracnose. No pest problems have been observed on our Cornelian Cherry plants.
USDA Zone: 4-8