Description
Red Dawn™ is an early-ripening Cornelian cherry valued for large, dark red fruit and strong traditional Cornus mas character. Known in its original naming as ‘Syretskyi’ / ‘Radost,’ it’s a practical choice for growers who want an early harvest without giving up fruit size.
The fruit is typically elongated to oval-pear shaped and noticeably larger than many older Cornelian cherry selections. Flavor is bright and sweet-tart, becoming more rounded and enjoyable as fruit reaches full color and slight softness. Red Dawn is especially well suited to traditional processing—jams, syrups, sauces, and juice—while remaining enjoyable fresh when fully ripe.
As an earlier cultivar, Red Dawn plays well in a staggered harvest plan, starting the Cornelian cherry season ahead of mid- and late-ripening varieties.
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 valued for early ripening and large fruit
- Ripens early within Cornus mas varieties (typically early to mid-August)
- Large, dark red fruit with elongated to oval-pear shape
- Classic sweet-tart Cornelian cherry flavor profile
- Strong choice for starting a staggered Cornelian cherry harvest season
- Improved yields with cross-pollination; plant another variety within 20–30 feet
Growing Details
Latin Name: Cornus mas ‘Syretskyi’ / ‘Radost’ (marketed as Red Dawn™)
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–8
Rootstock: Grafted onto cornelian cherry rootstock
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size 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: Early season for Cornelian cherry; typically early to mid-August (varies by region)
Fruit Size: Large for Cornus mas; commonly reported in the ~5–7 g range with elongated to oval-pear shape
Sugar / Brix: Unknown (no cultivar-specific published data available)
Pollination: Best fruit set with another Cornus mas variety planted within 20–30 feet
Pests & Diseases: Generally low disease pressure with good airflow and basic orchard care
Yield: Productive once established; improved consistency and crop size with cross-pollination
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Red Dawn reaches its best flavor at full color and slight softness—earlier harvests will taste noticeably sharper.
- Regional Insight: Well suited to colder-winter regions where Cornus mas is valued for early bloom, resilience, and dependable fruiting.
- Harvest Planning: Pair with mid- and late-ripening cultivars like Coral Blaze or Exotica to extend the Cornelian cherry season.
- Explore more Cornelian cherry varieties in our collection: Cornelian Cherries
