DWARF TANAGER. A striking variety from the American Dwarf Tomato Project, belonging to the Fancy family and developed by crossing Sherry Long from the Sunny line with Orange Pear. The variety was named by Susan Oliverson after the brilliantly colored tanager bird, whose vivid plumage reflects the rich orange color of the ripe fruits. The breeding work also involved Dee Sackett, Craig LeHoullier, and Bill Minkey. This mid-season compact variety successfully combines a modest plant size with exceptionally high productivity. The determinate, standard-type plant reaches 70-130 cm (28-51 in) in height when grown outdoors.

The plant is sturdy, well-foliaged, and bears the characteristic dark-green rugose potato-leaf foliage typical of many dwarf varieties. Thick, strong stems easily support heavy fruit loads, while the compact habit makes it an excellent choice even for small gardens. The variety is noted for its abundant and prolonged fruit production. The fruits ripen uniformly, are highly consistent in size and shape, and mature reliably even under less favorable weather conditions. They are large, smooth, and flattened-round, while fruits produced on the upper trusses often develop a beautiful broad heart shape.

The average fruit weight is 150-250 g, although under excellent growing conditions individual tomatoes may reach 300 g. At full maturity, the fruits develop a rich honey-orange color that looks spectacular both on the plant and after harvest. The flesh is dense, meaty, with a characteristic "marmalade-like" texture and very few seeds. Thanks to its firm consistency, the fruits slice beautifully while remaining juicy and tender.

FLAVOR

The flavor is rich, harmonious, and full-bodied. Pronounced natural sweetness is perfectly balanced by a light refreshing acidity, while an intense aroma with delicate spicy notes gives the fruits exceptional refinement. The dense, juicy flesh with its pleasant marmalade-like texture makes this variety an excellent choice for fresh eating. The fruits are ideal for salads, fresh vegetable platters, thick juices, sauces, and a wide range of homemade tomato products.

Dwarf Tanager is one of the finest orange-fruited varieties in the Dwarf Tomato Project series. It combines a compact standard plant, outstanding productivity, large attractive fruits, and an exceptionally well-balanced flavor. Reliable, easy to grow, and highly ornamental, it is destined to become a highlight of any tomato collection while rewarding growers with consistently abundant harvests year after year.