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Edmonton Journal

Growing Things: Getting to know heirloom cherry tomatoes

Article content Q: A neighbour of mine is selling cherry-sized tomato seedlings she started. She has an incredible variety of colours, and most I've never heard of: chocolate, white, yellow pear, indigo rose, sunrise and purple bumblebees, and a blue Smurf. Are these new varieties being developed, or are they just rare? And do they all grow as hanging plants, or do some grow upright like the larger varieties? Appreciate the expertise. Article content A: Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated, non-hybrid varieties of tomatoes that have been passed down through generations, often for over 50 years. Blue Smurf, Yellow Pear, Indigo Rose, Sunrise Bumblebee, and Purple Bumblebee are just a few examples. • Dancing with Smurfs is the variety I think you mean. It is the strangest tomato I've ever seen with dusky blue-to-purple skins and petite size. This variety is relatively new but bred from heirloom stock. These tomatoes are produced on indeterminate vines, meaning they will continue growing and producing throughout the season. They have a slightly upright habit early on but quickly sprawl unless supported. Trellising or staking helps maximize yield and keep the fruits cleaner. • Yellow Pear, is a classic heirloom known for its bright yellow, teardrop-shaped fruit. Dating back to the 1800s, this variety grows vigorously on indeterminate plants that can easily reach two meters or more. Yellow Pear tomatoes are mild and slightly sweet, perfect for fresh eating or pickling. They definitely benefit from caging or staking, as their sprawling nature can quickly overtake a garden bed without some support. Article content Article content • Indigo Rose is a deep purple, almost black fruit with a bright red interior when ripe. This tomato was bred with natural anthocyanins (the same antioxidants found in blueberries), giving it that striking colour. Indigo Rose plants are indeterminate and upright but have a more manageable growth habit compared to some sprawling heirlooms. A sturdy stake or cage will keep them productive and easier to harvest. • The Sunrise Bumblebee is known for its smal,l round fruits that are streaked in gold and pink. Sweet, juicy, and complex in flavour, Sunrise Bumblebee thrives on robust indeterminate plants that can sprawl extensively without training. Like the others, these benefit from vertical support, whether by cages or a trellis system. • Purple Bumblebee tomatoes round out my examples. Slightly larger than a standard cherry tomato, these fruits have a dusky pink to purple base with green striping. Like their Sunrise cousin, Purple Bumblebee tomatoes grow on indeterminate vines that prefer sprawling if left to their own devices. Trellising not only conserves garden space but also improves air circulation, reducing the risk of disease. Article content So, are all these heirloom cherry tomatoes hanging plants? Not exactly. While none are truly compact or 'bush' varieties (those would be determinate types), they do have different degrees of uprightness. All five are indeterminate growers, meaning they need continuous pruning and support to keep them productive and manageable. Without support, they'll sprawl along the ground, which can lead to lower yields and greater susceptibility to pests and rot. If you're planning to grow these beautiful varieties, invest in some strong cages, tall stakes, or a good trellis system. While some of the local suppliers may carry some of these varieties you can look online too at places like The Incredible Seed Co. Or Rainbow Seeds both of which are Canadian companies. Every week, Growing Things Outdoors runs online at or, if you prefer an epaper format, Latest National Stories