Description
Vaniglia Sanguigno is a blood orange cultivar characterized by notably low acidity and sweet, rounded flavor. It is traditionally grown for fresh eating rather than for dramatic internal color, offering a gentler expression of blood orange character. The name “Vaniglia” refers to the fruit’s soft, mellow sweetness—not to a vanilla aroma or flavor.
Compared to darker, more acidic blood oranges such as Moro, Vaniglia Sanguigno is smoother and less sharp, making it especially approachable even for those who typically prefer navels or mandarins. Flesh pigmentation varies by climate and season and is often lighter than other blood orange types. Fruit ripens in mid-winter and holds well on the tree, delivering consistent sweetness and a dessert-style eating experience rather than intensity.
Overview
- Low-acid blood orange with gentle, dessert-style sweetness.
- Traditionally grown for fresh eating rather than deep color.
- Smoother, milder flavor than Moro-type blood oranges.
- Mid- to late-winter ripening season.
- Self-fertile.
Growing Details
Botanical Name: Citrus sinensis ’Vaniglia Sanguigno’
Origin: Traditional Italian blood orange selection
Site and Soil: Full sun; well-drained soil
Rootstock: 1-gallon trees on Flying Dragon; larger sizes on C-35
Hardiness: Best suited to USDA Zones 8–11; fruit damage often begins around ~26°F, with increased risk to the tree during prolonged cold below this range
Bearing Age: Often fruits immediately; grafted trees may produce in their first season
Size at Maturity: •
Flying Dragon: Compact, container-friendly habit•
C-35: Compact to medium-sized citrus treeNote: Final size is influenced by pruning and container culture.
Bloom Time: Spring (timing varies by climate)
Ripening Time: Mid- to late winter; typically January to February depending on region
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile
Pests & Diseases: Similar to other sweet oranges; good airflow and drainage help reduce issues
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Vaniglia Sanguigno is best appreciated as a flavor-first blood orange. Its low acidity gives it a soft, rounded sweetness that sets it apart from more intense blood orange types.
- Regional Insight: Cooler winter nights can enhance internal coloration, though excellent eating quality is present even in warmer citrus regions.
- Explore more orange varieties in our collection: Orange Trees
