Rowan-Hawthorn Hybrid (Sorbus aucuparia x Crataegus sanguinea) GRANATNAJA

Rowan-Hawthorn Hybrid (Sorbus aucuparia x Crataegus sanguinea) 'Granatnaja'

A unique Michurin cross of rowan and hawthorn with large, sweet-sour fruits devoid of bitterness.

'Granatnaja' is a historic yet still highly valued interspecific cross developed by the famous Russian breeder I. V. Michurin. By combining the European rowan and the red hawthorn, a variety was created that retains the extreme hardiness and low maintenance of the rowan, but whose fruits completely lack any undesirable bitterness. The attractive garnet-red fruits are not only visually striking but also exceptionally tasty and can be eaten straight from the tree. It is an ideal choice for growers in harsh climates.

Key Highlights:

• No bitterness: Pleasant sweet-sour taste, suitable for fresh consumption.
• Unique genetics: Cross between rowan and hawthorn.
• Large fruits: Berries reach about 1.5 cm in diameter.
• High frost hardiness: Perfectly adapted to harsh climates.
• Excellent storage life and juice yield (high pectin content).

Origin and Registration

• Origin: Russia (Breeder Ivan Vladimirovich Michurin). Crossed in 1925.
• Trivia: The variety's name "Granatnaja" is derived from the attractive garnet-red color of its ripe fruits.

Variety Characteristics

Bush / Small Tree

• Growth: Medium-vigorous bush (or small tree), though it visually resembles a rowan.
• Height: Compact shape, reaching approximately 3 meters in height.
• Flowering: From May to June, it produces numerous white corymbose flower clusters.

Fruit

• Size and Shape: Large spherical pomes (approx. 1.5 cm in diameter) growing in medium-sized clusters (corymbs).
• Color: Attractive garnet-red. The juice has an intense red color.
• Taste: Pleasant, sweet-sour, without the bitterness typical of wild rowan.
• Usage: Excellent for making jams and jellies (served with venison and cheese), liqueurs, wines, syrups, and teas. Also traditionally used in folk medicine.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost: Very high frost resistance.
• Cultivation: Very simple and undemanding. Thanks to high disease resistance, it is ideal for organic farming without the need for chemical sprays.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Pollination: The variety is self-fertile.
• Harvesting: The size of the fruits (1.5 cm) and their clustered growth significantly facilitate hand picking.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Late August to early September.
• Storage: Fruits do not drop after ripening and can hang on the bush for a long time without loss of quality. A major advantage is the possibility of long-term storage (up to several months). Even when harvested very late, they retain a high juice yield.