Cornelian Cherry Dogwood

The Cornelian Cherry Dogwood is a unique dogwood tree, quite different from both the shrubby types with colored winter twigs, and the white or pink flowering spring trees. This European species gives a great spring display of trusses of yellow flowers on a rounded small tree or large shrub, followed by clusters of red ‘cherries’ that are edible, and also loved by birds. Growing 15 to 20 feet tall and wide, it makes a great hedge, or fills an empty corner perfectly. Great spring flower display, edible fruits that make interesting preserves and syrups, and attractive, rugged flaking bark all add up to an interesting garden plant that isn’t seen enough. As well, it is easy to grow and resistant to anthracnose, the disease that has killed so many of our native flowering dogwood trees.

• Bright spring display of yellow flowers on bare twigs
• Edible red ‘cherries’ in summer that make great preserves
• Rugged flaking bark adds winter interest to your garden
• Small tree or large shrub, and great for hedges too
• Not affected by dogwood anthracnose or borers

Grow the Cornelian Cherry Dogwood in full sun or partial shade in any well-drained soil. It grows best in moist, richer soils, but is tough and easy to grow. Grows well in heavy clay soils too. Ignored by deer and resistant to both dogwood anthracnose and borers. Generally untroubled by minor pests and easy to grow. Can be trained into a small tree with a single trunk, or grown as a multi-stemmed shrub. Prune or trim after spring flowering is over.