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Blood Orange (Vaniglia Sanguigno)

Price range: $39.99 through $159.00

Vaniglia Sanguigno is a rare, low-acid blood orange prized for its gentle sweetness and soft, dessert-style flavor—offering blood orange character without the sharp bite.

  • Traditional Italian blood orange selected for low acidity.
  • Smooth, rounded sweetness rather than intense sharpness.
  • Blood orange coloration varies by climate and season.
  • Mid- to late-winter harvest.
  • Self-fertile.

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Arrives healthy, guaranteed. If it does not, we replace it.
Ships in 1 to 4 business days from our nursery near Seattle, in a 36 inch box.
Grows in zones 8 to 11.
SKU: Blood Orange (Vaniglia Sanguigno) Categories: , Tag:
From our inbox

Boxed perfect. Shipped on time. Excellent quality stock. About the only thing you could do to improve my experience would be to fly out to Maine and plant them for me.

Don, Maine

Thank you so much for these lovely hardy kiwis. They are much bigger than expected. Will be ordering from you again.

Irene

Absolutely beautiful trees, especially compared to some of the other mail order bare roots I have gotten from other companies.

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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

Planting & Care

At a Glance – Vaniglia Sanguigno Blood Orange

  • Sun: 3/4 day to full day of sun
  • Soil: Well-drained soil
  • Soil pH: Performs best between 5.5–6.5
  • Water: Moderate; consistent during establishment
  • Tree Size: Compact to medium depending on rootstock and pruning
  • Pollination: Self-fertile
  • Harvest: Mid- to late winter
  • Hardiness: Fruit damage often begins around ~26°F; protect trees during prolonged cold

Planting & Care – Vaniglia Sanguigno Blood Orange

Site Selection

  • Select a warm, sunny location to support sweetness and fruit quality.
  • South- or west-facing exposures improve performance in cooler winter regions.
  • Good airflow supports healthy foliage.

Soil Preparation (In-Ground vs Container)

  • In-ground: Excellent drainage is essential; raised planting areas help in heavier soils.
  • In-ground: Slightly acidic soil supports nutrient uptake.
  • Container: Use a fast-draining citrus mix with generous drainage.
  • Container: Container growing allows easier winter protection and size control.

Planting Instructions

  1. Dig a hole about twice the width of the root ball, or select a container slightly larger than the root mass.
  2. Set the tree so the root flare sits at or slightly above finished soil or potting mix.
  3. Backfill gently and water thoroughly.
  4. Mulch lightly for in-ground trees, keeping mulch away from the trunk.

Watering (In-Ground vs Container)

  • In-ground, establishment: Keep soil evenly moist during the first growing season.
  • In-ground, established: Deep, periodic watering supports fruit development.
  • Check: Water when soil is dry 3–6 inches below the surface.
  • Container: Water thoroughly, then allow the top couple inches of mix to dry.

Fertilizing

  • Feed with citrus fertilizer in early spring and early summer.
  • Supplement with liquid feeding during active growth if needed.
  • Reduce feeding later in the season to support cold tolerance.

Cold Care

  • Protect trees during freezing weather.
  • In-ground: Use frost cloth and protect the root zone during cold snaps.
  • Container: Move to a sheltered or bright indoor location before hard freezes.

Pruning & Harvest

  • Light pruning maintains shape and airflow.
  • Harvest when fruit reaches full size and winter maturity.