Description
Yellow™ is a yellow-fruited Cornelian cherry (the Ukrainian cultivar ‘Yantarnyi’) known for a softer, less-tart flavor profile and a long ripening window that can stretch from mid-August into September. Its amber-colored fruit offers a distinctly different eating experience compared to traditional red Cornus mas selections.
When fully ripe, the fruit turns a clear yellow to amber tone and can appear slightly translucent, giving Yellow a visual character unlike any red-fruited Cornelian cherry. Flavor leans noticeably milder, with reduced acidity and a fruit-forward sweetness that makes it especially approachable for fresh eating while remaining excellent for jams, syrups, and preserves.
Yellow ripens over an extended period rather than all at once, making it useful for gardeners who prefer multiple harvest passes instead of a single concentrated picking window.
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. Yellow stands apart within this group for its unique color and gentler flavor profile.
Overview
- Ukrainian Cornelian cherry cultivar ‘Yantarnyi’ selected for yellow fruit
- Amber to yellow fruit with occasional translucent appearance at full ripeness
- Milder, less acidic flavor than most red-fruited Cornus mas cultivars
- Mid to mid–late ripening window, often spanning several weeks
- Well suited to fresh eating, preserves, syrups, and sauces
- Improved yields with cross-pollination; plant another variety within 20–30 feet
Growing Details
Latin Name: Cornus mas ‘Yantarnyi’ (marketed as Yellow™)
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: Mid to mid–late season for Cornelian cherry; typically mid-August through mid-September (varies by region)
Fruit Size: Medium for Cornus mas; commonly reported around ~3.2–3.5 g average
Sugar / Brix: Unknown (reported as sweeter-leaning than red-fruited cultivars; numeric data inconsistent)
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; extended ripening spreads harvest over time
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Yellow sweetens dramatically at full ripeness; fruit picked too early will taste noticeably sharper.
- Harvest Note: Fully ripe fruit may drop—timely harvesting or tarp-and-shake collection helps reduce loss.
- Explore more Cornelian cherry varieties in our collection: Cornelian Cherries
