Silver Hill Satsuma Mandarin

(Citrus unshiu 'Silverhill')

Documented by Léo — grown in the ground, USDA zone 8b

Silver Hill satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu 'Silverhill') is an old American satsuma selection, from a nucellar selection made in Florida around 1908, then named and distributed around 1931 at Silverhill, Alabama, famous for its flavor quality and earliness. Its hardiness reaches 9°F (−13°C) on the tree, among the hardiest satsumas, making it suitable for in-ground planting in USDA zones 7b and 8a. The tree reaches about 10 ft (3 m) on Pépins Perdus material, up to 15 ft (4.5 m) according to Vessière, with a spreading, weeping habit, evergreen foliage and fragrant white flowers. Its bright orange fruit, medium-sized, 3.5 to 5.3 oz (100 to 150 g), seedless, with thin skin that is very easy to peel, ripens from late October with particularly juicy, sweet, low-acid and delicately fragrant flesh. Ideal for regions where the first frosts come early. Excellent fresh, as juice and as sorbet. Graft onto Poncirus trifoliata; south-facing wall.

Identity

OriginUnited States

Genetic originOwari seedling selection

USDA zone8a

Cold hardiness9°F (−13°C)

Fruit cold hardiness25°F (−4°C)

GrowthVigorous

Height15 ft (4.5 m)

HarvestOctober, November, December

SeedsSeedless

UsesFresh eating

FlavorsVery sweet, Acidless, Mild

History & Description

Origin

Silver Hill is an American selection obtained by the USDA in Florida, then named and distributed around 1931 at Silverhill, Alabama, from an Owari satsuma seedling made around 1908. It was selected specifically for its cold resistance.

Tree description

The tree is very vigorous and has a more upright habit than most satsumas. It is undoubtedly one of the hardiest varieties of the group, withstanding brief frosts very well.

Fruit quality

The fruit is medium-sized, with smooth, thin skin. It stands out for a high sugar content and very low acidity, even before full coloring.

Flavor and ornamental interest

It is the satsuma for those with a sweet tooth. Its flavor is very mild, almost without acidity, which makes it delicious from the start of the harvest. Its robustness makes it a must-have variety for marginal climates.