Yellow Rarity and Late Dark Beauties: Introducing the Cherries 'Donnisen', 'Ferrovia', and 'Irena'

30 Jan

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Yellow Rarity and Late Dark Beauties: Introducing the Cherries 'Donnisen', 'Ferrovia', and 'Irena'

The 2026 cherry season (sales April/May) will be varied. We have prepared three varieties for you that cover the spectrum from a historical German rarity with yellow fruits, through an Italian classic, to a modern Czech variety that is the perfect partner for the popular Regina.

“The yellow cherry 'Donnisen' is a true rarity. Its fruits lack a red blush, and thanks to their color, they are 'invisible' to birds, making it one of the few varieties that blackbirds won't eat right under your nose.”

1. 'Donnisen' (Dönissens Gelbe): The Amber Jewel

This historical German variety from the 19th century is sought after by collectors and gourmets. It is proof that a cherry doesn't have to be red to be sweet.

Why a Yellow Cherry?

The fruits are medium-sized, heart-shaped, and have a beautiful amber-yellow color. They are very sweet, firm, and juicy. Besides not being hunted by birds, they have another advantage – when processed (e.g., in compotes), they retain their light color and do not stain.

Health and Resilience

The tree grows quickly and is highly resistant to frost and the dreaded bacterial canker. It is an ideal choice for family gardens where you want something unusual and maintenance-free.

2. 'Ferrovia': The Italian Legend

From the south comes the variety 'Ferrovia' (translating to "Railway"). Legend has it that the first tree was discovered near a railway station in Italy. Today, it is one of the most popular varieties in Europe.

Size and Firmness

The fruits are large (up to 12 g), heart-shaped, and intensely dark red. They are known for their firmness and crunchiness ("bigarreau"). A big advantage is that they do not crack even in rainy weather and withstand transport excellently.

Excellent Pollinator

'Ferrovia' isn't just about fruit. It is an excellent pollinator for other late varieties like 'Kordia' and 'Regina', increasing yield throughout the orchard.

3. 'Irena': The Modern Czech Answer

From the research institute in Holovousy comes the licensed novelty 'Irena'. It originated from crossing the famous 'Kordia', inheriting its quality but adding higher resilience.

Partner for Regina

It ripens late (7th cherry week), just before the 'Regina' variety. It is a key pollinator for it. The fruits are large, dark red to black, with a long stem, which facilitates harvesting.

End of Cracking

The main advantage of 'Irena' is its very low sensitivity to fruit cracking. Even after heavy rains, the fruits remain whole, which is a rarity for late varieties.

Big Comparison: Which One to Choose?

Feature	Donnisen	Ferrovia	Irena
Color	Amber-yellow	Dark red	Black-red
Ripening	July (Late)	June/July	Week 7 (Late)
Resilience	High (frost, disease)	Crack resistant	Low cracking
Main Use	Compotes, Rarity	Market variety	Partner to Regina

Conclusion

Whether you want to surprise your neighbors with yellow cherries ('Donnisen'), are looking for a firm cherry that doesn't get mushy ('Ferrovia'), or need a reliable partner for Regina in the orchard ('Irena'), these varieties are top in their category.