Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland, Canada) is an independent, not-for-profit corporation. created in 2007 to drive growth and impact in the horticulture sector.
Funded in part by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative, Vineland coordinates applied research, innovation, and commercialization activities across Ontario’s horticulture value chain, aligning government, privatesector, and research partners to deliver measurable outcomes to the sector.
Among the key research programs at the Canadian experimental station, the sweet cherry breeding program has been active at the Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario since 1915 and has led to the commercial release of approximately twenty new sweet cherry varieties. The latest patented selections released are listed below.
Yellow, early-maturing, large-fruited, crack-resistant
Origin: University of Guelph, Vineland Station, Ontario, by G. Tehrani and J.W. Lay. ‘Van’ x ‘Stella’. Canadian PBR applied for. USPP applied for.
Fruit: very large, diameter 29 mm; reniform; skin yellow (RHS N45A); texture moderately firm; 17° Brix, TA 0.68%; ripens 10 d before ‘Rainier’; highly resistant to rain cracking.
Tree: vigor moderate, growth habit spreading; flowers midseason, 5-12 Apr. in British Columbia; self-fertile; moderately resistant to bacterial canker (Pseudomonas syringae).
Dark red, midseason, very large-fruited, crack-resistant
Origin: University of Guelph, Vineland Station, Ontario, by G. Tehrani and J.W. Lay. ‘Van’ x ‘Stella’; crossed 1969. Canadian PBR applied for. USPP applied for.
Fruit: very large, diameter 30 mm; flat round; skin dark purple (RHS N186A); texture firm; 18° Brix, TA 0.78%; ripens with ‘Bing’; highly resistant to rain cracking.
Tree: vigor moderate; growth habit spreading; flowers midseason, 5-12 Apr. in British Columbia; self-fertile; moderately resistant to bacterial canker.
Dark red, midseason, very large-fruited, crack-resistant
Origin: University of Guelph, Vineland Station, Ontario, by G. Tehrani, J.W. Lay, and F. Eady. ‘Van’ x ‘Stella’; crossed 1969. Canadian PBR applied for. USPP applied for.
Fruit: very large, diameter 30 mm; reniform to flat round; skin dark red-purple; texture firm; 18° Brix, TA 0.55%; ripens 3 d after ‘Bing’.
Tree: vigor moderate; growth habit spreading; flowers midseason, 5-12 Apr. in British Columbia; self-fertile; moderately resistant to bacterial canker.
Dark red, early-maturing, very large-fruited, firm and crack-resistant
Origin: University of Guelph, Vineland Station, Ontario, by G. Tehrani, J.W. Lay, and F. Eady. ‘Van’ x ‘Stella’; crossed 1969. Canadian PBR applied for. USPP applied for.
Fruit: very large, diameter 29 mm; reniform to flat round; skin dark redpurple (RHS N186A); very firm; 18° Brix, TA 0.80%; ripens 10 d before ‘Bing’; less susceptible to rain cracking.
Tree: vigor moderate; growth habit spreading; flowers midseason, 5-12 Apr. in British Columbia; self-fertile; moderately resistant to bacterial canker.
Dark red, midseason, large-fruited, crack-resistant
Origin: University of Guelph, Vineland Station, Ontario, by G. Tehrani and J.W. Lay. ‘Van’ x ‘Stella’; crossed 1969. Canadian PBR applied for. USPP applied for.
Fruit: large, diameter 27 mm; flat round; skin dark red-purple (RHS N186A); moderately firm; 18 _Brix, TA 0.78%; ripens 3 d after ‘Bing’; less susceptible to rain cracking.
Tree: vigor moderate; growth habit spreading; flowers midseason, 5-12 Apr. in British Columbia; self-fertile; moderately resistant to bacterial canker.
Source: Per McCord, Dept. of Horticulture,Washington State University Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Prosser,WA
Image source: Stefano Lugli
Register of New Fruit and Nut Cultivars List 53
David Karp and Ksenija Gasic, Co-editors
HORTSCIENCE VOL. 61(8) AUGUST 2026
17 Feb 2026
An INIA study published in Plants explains why bacterial canker of cherry remains persistent in Chile. Researchers analyzed Pseudomonas syringae populations adapted to local conditions and more resistant to copper, supporting more integrated and sustainable management strategies.
05 Sep 2024
Bloom Fresh states that the facility is equipped with environments designed to enhance the natural reproduction of fruit. With specialized laboratories and research areas the center will facilitate the development of new varieties and the refinement of breeding techniques.
15 Oct 2026
A study in a commercial cherry orchard in Turkey shows that variable-rate irrigation, supported by satellite imagery and soil moisture monitoring, can cut irrigation water use by up to 49% while maintaining marketable yields and fruit quality, even in very hot weather.
15 Oct 2026
In Canada, Vineland's sweet cherry breeding program presents five selections, including Prism®. Fruit up to 30 mm in diameter, early ripening, self-fertility and resistance to rain cracking highlight the key traits of these new cherry varieties for Canadian growers.
