Description Svitlana™ is a Ukrainian Cornelian cherry selected for balanced fruit quality and dependable performance. Originally released as ‘U-26’ and later named in honor of breeder Dr. Svitlana Klymenko, it reflects the core goals of the Gryshko program: improved fruit size, better flavor, and reliable ripening. The fruit is consistently described as large and uniform for Cornus mas, with an oval to slightly elongated shape that lends itself well to both fresh use and processing. Flavor is classically sweet-tart but notably more balanced than wild-type Cornelian cherries, becoming noticeably more enjoyable as fruit reaches full color and slight softness. Svitlana occupies the middle of the Cornelian cherry season, making it a useful anchor variety between early ripeners and late-season cultivars. Its combination of steady yields, predictable timing, and versatile fruit quality makes it one of the most broadly useful selections in the Ukrainian lineup. Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) is an edible dogwood grown for fruit—sometimes called “dogwood cherry,” even though it isn’t a true cherry. Unlike ornamental dogwoods grown mainly for blooms, Cornus mas ripens late-summer fruit with a bright, tart-sweet flavor that becomes noticeably more enjoyable at full maturity. The fruit is excellent fresh when fully ripe, and it’s one of the classic plants for high-quality jams, syrups, sauces, and preserves. Overview Ukrainian Cornelian cherry selection honoring breeder Dr. Svitlana Klymenko Mid-season ripening within Cornus mas varieties Large, uniform fruit with oval to slightly elongated shape Balanced sweet-tart flavor suitable for fresh use and processing Reliable productivity and consistent performance Improved yields with cross-pollination; plant another variety within 20–30 feet Growing Details Latin Name: Cornus mas ‘U-26’ (marketed as Svitlana™)Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soilHardiness: USDA Zones 4–8Rootstock: Grafted onto cornelian cherry rootstockBearing Age: 1–3 yearsSize at Maturity: Typically 8–12 ft with training and pruning (shrub or small tree form)Bloom Time: Very early spring (varies by region)Ripening Time: Mid-season for Cornelian cherry; typically mid-August (varies by region)Fruit Size: Large for Cornus mas; uniform, oval to slightly elongatedSugar / Brix: Unknown (no cultivar-specific published data available)Pollination: Best fruit set with another Cornus mas variety planted within 20–30 feetPests & Diseases: Generally low disease pressure with good airflow and basic orchard careYield: Reliable and consistent once established; improved with cross-pollination Additional Notes Grower’s Insight: Svitlana is best appreciated for its balance—neither extreme in size nor timing, but consistently reliable across seasons. Regional Insight: Performs well in cold-winter regions where Cornus mas is valued for resilience and predictable harvest timing. Harvest Planning: Pair with early cultivars like Red Star and late cultivars like Sunrise or Exotica to build a full season. Explore more Cornelian cherry varieties in our collection: Cornelian Cherries
