Truth About Cornelian Cherry Dogwood

Cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas), which lives around 150 years from its native habitat in Southern Europe and Asia, also rises in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. This tree makes a fantastic specimen tree or accent tree for the yard. It is well-suited for planting under utility trees since it does not get extremely tall. When planted as a hedge, it creates a non-thorny obstacle or windbreak. Learning about this shrub allows the gardener to grow a healthy plant.

Description

Cornelian cherry dogwood trees hit 20 feet tall and spread 20 feet wide. This plant grows 24 inches tall every summer until mature. Unless trimmed into a tree shape, this dogwood creates multiple transitions. The increase is so dense that the colour beneath the tree prevents anything from growing. The shiny, dark green leaves continue until the late fall. The tree produces yellow flowers in spring and cherry-like fruit in the summer, that can be employed in wine, syrup or jam.

Care

Cornelian cherry dogwood prefers full to partial sunlight in almost any type of soil, except heavy clay. This plant tolerates any soil pH from highly acidic to highly alkaline. Do not decide on a site where the dogwood receives salty spray. Spread a 1-inch layer of mulch over the root zone to slow soil moisture loss through evaporation. Prune away root suckers to protect against the dogwood from growing into a thicket.

Seasonal Interest

This dogwood begins its display by booming early in March with clusters of tiny yellow blossoms, which continue blooming for weeks. This is one of the earliest-blooming plants in the spring. Bright red berries appear in the middle of summer, and these bring birds to this woody plant. The green leaves turn red and gold throughout the fall. After the leaves fall, gray-brown flaky bark is shown on the bare branches.

Varieties

This kind of dogwood is available in different varieties. “Aurea” (Cornus mas “Aurea”) create gold-tinted leaves, which fade to green during hot summer days. “Golden Glory” grows in a more erect form than other varieties. “Spring Splash” produces bright yellow blooms with dark green, leathery leaves. “Variegata” grows marbled creamy-white and green leaves. “Yellow” grows yellow-colored fruit rather than red.

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