Description
Red Star™ is an early-ripening Cornelian cherry prized for getting fruit on the table ahead of nearly all other Cornus mas cultivars. Known in its original Ukrainian breeding as ’Vidubetskyi,’ it fills a valuable role for growers who want the earliest possible harvest without sacrificing reliability.
Fruit size is moderate compared to later large-fruited selections, but Red Star’s value lies in timing. Flavor is classically sweet-tart, improving as fruit reaches full color and slight softness. It performs well for early fresh eating and remains well suited to traditional processing such as jams, syrups, sauces, and juice.
Red Star is best used as the opening act in a staggered Cornelian cherry planting, beginning the harvest well before mid- and late-season cultivars come on.
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 bred for very early ripening
- Often the earliest Cornus mas cultivar to harvest (mid-July)
- Moderate fruit size with balanced sweet-tart flavor
- Reliable producer for early fresh use and processing
- Ideal early anchor in a staggered Cornelian cherry harvest plan
- Improved yields with cross-pollination; plant another variety within 20–30 feet
Growing Details
Latin Name: Cornus mas ’Vidubetskyi’ (marketed as Red Star™)
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: Very early season for Cornelian cherry; often mid-July (varies by region)
Fruit Size: Moderate for Cornus mas
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: Reliable once established; improved consistency with cross-pollination
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Red Star is chosen for timing rather than size—harvest at full color and slight softness for best flavor.
- Regional Insight: Especially useful in colder-winter regions where an early Cornelian cherry harvest helps avoid late-summer heat stress.
- Harvest Planning: Pair with mid- and late-ripening cultivars like Coral Blaze, Red Dawn, or Sunrise to build a full season.
- Explore more Cornelian cherry varieties in our collection: Cornelian Cherries
