Photo of Cornus mas fruit by Instant Hedge

Photo by Instant Hedge

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Cornus mas

Also Known As

  • Cornelian Cherry
  • Cornelian Cherry Dogwood

Plant type

tree, shrub, fruit / vegetable

size

  • H: 15'-25'
  • W: 10'-20'

planting zones

  • 5a-9b

More Options

Cornus mas plant details

Cornus mas is a fast-growing broadleaf deciduous fruit / vegetable, shrub or tree with green foliage. In spring and winter yellow flowers emerge followed by red fruit. Attracts birds. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in acidic, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Cornus mas

Plant type: fruit / vegetable, shrub or tree
Plant family: cornaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 10 FT - 20 FT - wide, 15 FT - 25 FT - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in spring and winter
Uses: disease-resistant, fall color, hedge, peeling bark, winter interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Cornus mas

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: acidic, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

"Lovely clouds of starry, yellow blossoms" (G.S. Thomas) in late winter make this large shrub (to 20') bright followed in fall with ?cherries?,enjoyed for 7000 years ?by reason of the pleasantnesse in them? (Parkinson). S/M
The Cornelian Dogwood (Cornus mas) is popular for its bright yellow flowers in March and cherry-red fruit in June and July. The fruit attract birds and are edible but seedy, thus they are popular for jams and preserves where the seeds can be filtered out. Trees are easy to grow and are resistant to most of the diseases that affect some other dogwood species.
Cornus Mas (Cornelian Cherry) tree develops fleshy dark-red cherries in mid-summer. The fruit are edible, but fairly sour fresh off the tree. However, they can be used for making tasty syrups and preserves. Valued for early spring bloom, the Cornelian Cherry Dogwood can be grown as a low-branching, multi-stemmed shrub or small garden tree. More than other similar species, Cornus Mas tree is resistant to many different potential pests and diseases. Native to Europe and into western Asia, the Cornelian Cherry Dogwood can grow up to 25 feet tall with a 20-foot spread. The mature tree’s trunk has a distinctive scaly and exfoliating bark.
Notable for its showy bright yellow flowers in the spring, the Cornelian Cherry makes an attractive hedge, screen or border for a diverse range of outdoor spaces. The tree grows easily in average well-drained soil and is relatively simple to maintain throughout the year. There are a number of immediate benefits to choosing the Cornelian Cherry for your next hedge: Dense tree that can be easily shaped into desired hedge shape Stunning yellow blossoms in the spring Resistant to pests and diseases Produces edible fruit in the summer Valued for early spring bloom, the Cornelian Cherry can be grown as a low-branching, multi-stemmed shrub or small garden tree. More than other similar species, the tree is resistant to many different potential pests and diseases. Native to Europe and into western Asia, the Cornelian Cherry can grow up to 25 feet tall with a 20 foot spread. The mature tree’s trunk has a distinctive scaly and exfoliating bark. The tree develops fleshy dark-red cherries in mid-summer. The fruit are edible, but fairly sour fresh off the tree. However, they can be used for making tasty syrups and preserves.

By: Instant Hedge

Small, soft yellow flower spritzes bloom on bare stems in late winter, and bright red, shiny, oblong, edible fruit cover the tree fall. They're wonderful for preserves and brighten the fall garden significantly. Lovely for the birds, too. Minimum temperature: -20°F
All Cornelian Cherries offer an array of truly exotic flavors that simply cannot be found in any other fruit. It is complex, a mix of floral tones with the sourness of a cranberry. It is the original ingredient in a delicious Persian sorbet and many expensive european liquors like Maraschino di Zadar.
Very hardy. Prized for its ornamental bark and fruit, small stature, and disease-free character. March flowers provide a splash of yellow to herald the first days of spring. Variability in form and flower, however, motivates a trend toward using seedlings as rootstock for named varieties that are selected for abundant flowers and large fruit.
Yellow flowers early spring. Edible red fruit summer. Attracts birds, red-purple fall color. Zones 5-9.
A multi-stemmed, low-branching deciduous shrub with yellow blooms generally reaching 15-20' in height and width but can be trained as a small tree by removal of lower branches and suckers. The star-like flowers borne in umbels in late winter to early spring appear before the foliage and give way to tiny red drupes which can be used in jellies and syrups. The Drupes persist into Fall and are eaten by birds. It has attractive grayish brown bark which exfoliates on the mature branches. Useful for very early spring bloom and can be used as a hedge, screen or specimen plant. Will naturalize in woodland areas. European Native.

By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

This tree is wonderful for the winter garden. It is loaded with red fruits in fall, shows a fascinating peeling bark after frost, screams with yellow flowers in February sunshine. Great the rest of the year, too! Pest free, easy to grow. Try one! You won't be disappointed.

By: Specialty Ornamentals

From the Ukraine, these hardy and attractive ornamentals also offer large and tasty fruit. Frost-hardy yellow flowers appear in late February followed by fruit which turns bright red when ripe in September. Attractive as either a shrub or small tree, it grows slowly to 12-15'. Somewhat self-pollinating but for best fruit set, two varieties should be planted.

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

Gardening facts about Cornus mas plant

How to Grow Cornus mas

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • regular - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • acidic
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • yellow
  • Wildlife

    • birds
  • Fruit

    • red
  • Flower Season

    • winter
    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
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