Scientific name: Cornus mas
Family: CORNACEAE
Common names: “Cornelian cherry” “cornel” “sorbet” “edible dogwood”
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub or small tree
Conditions:
Zone: 5-8
Light: Full sun best, tolerates partial shade
Exposure: Exposed or sheltered
Soil: Average soil
Moisture: Moist well drained, handles too wet or too dry conditions better than most dogwoods
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: H 15′-25′ W 15′-20′
Leaf and Stem shape: Oval leaves which turn red to purple in autumn
Flower: Umbels of tiny, star-like, scentless yellow flowers, followed by bright red edible fruit, blooms from Feb – March before leaves
Pruning: Prune after flowers, great to train into a multi stemmed tree
Maintenance: Low
Landscape use: Orchards, flower beds, hedging
Propagate: By cuttings
Pests & Disease: None in Victoria
Comments: Fruits high in vitamin C and pectin, for good fruiting need at least 2 trees, named varieties have bigger fruit and a 10′ tree can produce 30-40 lb’s!
Cultivars: 45+ cv’s & hybrids
