Elegant cornelian cherry

Elegant cornelian cherry – an early-bearing form of cornelian cherry. In the Kyiv region it ripens from August 5 to 20. The cultivar was obtained by S.V. Klimenko in 1971 at the Central Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine from a cross of selected hybrid forms 422 and 9-15-2. In 1980 it was entered into the elite stock. It was included in the Register of Plant Varieties of Ukraine in 1999.

The tree reaches 1.5–2 m in height, with a width of 2–2.5 m. The crown is sparse, cup-shaped, smaller than that of other cornelian cherry cultivars. Early loss of the main leader. Internodes are shortened. Shoots ripen almost completely.

Fruits are bottle-shaped, with an elongated thin neck, evenly distributed throughout the tree. Average fruit weight 4.5–5.0 g, uniform in size and shape. At the beginning of ripening they are cherry-red; when fully ripe they become almost black. The skin is glossy. The flesh is juicy, dark red, near the stone whitish, aromatic, with a refreshing sweet-and-sour taste and a distinctive aroma. Dry matter - 21.8%, sugar - 9.1%, acids - 1.84–1.9%, pectins - 0.57–1.02%, anthocyanins in the flesh - 104 mg, in the skin - 773 mg, vitamin C - 110.3 mg per 100 g of fresh mass. The stone is elliptical, small, cream-colored, and separates well from the flesh. Fruits remain on the tree practically until the frosts. The cultivar has a high, annual yield.

Winter hardiness: 5a

Site: not demanding on soil, but grows better on light soils with good aeration. The plant is drought-tolerant. Grows well in full sun and in partial shade.

Planting, pruning and care: similar to those for the common cornelian cherry.

Pests and diseases: resistance to adverse factors is high. No pests or diseases have been detected.

Use: the cultivar is of interest for amateur gardening. Recommended for cultivation in Polissya and the Forest-Steppe regions of Ukraine. Thanks to its original crown shape and unusual fruits, it fits well into landscape design. Fruits are consumed fresh and can also be used for processing.