Bred and selected by Dr. David Simpson at East Malling Research from a Lucy cross, Fenella is a late season selection with excellent disease and weather resistance allied to a high yield of quality fruit.
Fenella produces large berries with an average weight of 15 grams which are attractively glossy with a waxy skin and large flat calices. The berries are orange-red, with a similar firmness to Elsanta and with good shelf life. They have an excellent and distinctive sweet flavour and are mildly aromatic with a pleasant juicy texture.
Yields of Fenella have been equal to, or better than, Elsanta in the two maincrop trials to date with much higher Class I percentages. ‘60-day yields are the same as Elsanta when the same crowns are compared.’ (Adam Whitehouse, EMR 2009.
Production peaks midway between Elsanta and Florence with a season similar to Symphony. The variety produces a lush, vigorous plant with a compact, upright habit and long trusses, displaying the fruit well.
Fenella has very good resistance to Verticillium Wilt and to Crown Rot and the fruit stood up to the torrential rain of the 2007 and 2012 seasons. This unique combination of disease resistance, vigour and rain tolerance allows for the reliable production of good quality, low cost, unprotected fruit for a full range of marketing outlets.
Certified Stock
Fresh standard plants: £230 per thousand Cold stored A- grade plants: £186.90 per thousand Cold stored A grade plants: £236.90 per thousand Cold stored A+ plants: £356.90 per thousand