The Cornelian
Cherry is a species of dogwood that has tiny, bright yellow flowers that
profusely cover the twigs in the late winter and early spring. It is one of the
earliest trees to bloom in the winter and it is a harbinger of spring. The
flowers are in small clusters on the twigs. They stand out against the bare
branches of other trees in the winter landscape. It is a deciduous shrub or
small tree with a broad, rounded form and spreading branches. It has a short,
leaning stem and scaly, exfoliating bark. Cornus mas is native to central and
southern Europe into western Asia. It typically grows over time to 15-25′ tall
with a spread to 12-20′ wide. Yellow flowers on short stalks bloom in early
spring before the leaves emerge in dense, showy, rounded clusters (umbels to
3/4″ wide). Each umbel is surrounded at the base by small, yellowish,
petaloid bracts. Ovate to elliptic dark green leaves (to 4″ long)
typically develop insignificant fall color. Fruits are ellipsoid, fleshy,
one-seeded berries (drupes to 5/8″ long) which mature to cherry red in
mid-summer. Fruits are edible. They are used for making syrups and preserves. The
common name refers to the cherry-like fruits which resemble in color the
semi-precious gemstone carnelian (or cornelian).
Cornus
mas is noted for having excellent resistance to dogwood anthracnose and
dogwood borer. When properly grown, this dogwood usually has few insect or
disease problems. Garden Uses. Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained
soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, organically rich soils. Promptly
remove root suckers to control spread. Valued for its very early spring bloom.
Best as a hedge, screen or foundation plant or as a specimen or grouping in the
shrub border. Hardy in zones 4-8.
Growing
Instructions
The seeds have
a period of dormancy. They can be planted outdoors in the fall or winter for
spring germination or they can be cold stratified to simulate winter conditions
and to break their dormancy at any time of the year.
1. Place the
seeds in a plastic bag and seal it. Store the bag in a refrigerator for 3-4
months.
2. The seeds
like moist, well-drained soil. Fill a pot with a mixture of half potting soil
and half sand or vermiculite.
3. Sow the
seeds on the soil and cover them with a thin layer of soil.
4. Water the
container.
5. Put the pot
in a warm, sunny area.
6. Water the
pot regularly so that the soil is moist but not wet.
7. The seedlings
can be transplanted when they are a few inches tall.
Nathaniel (verified owner) –
Easy to grow beautiful
Patrick (verified owner) –
Great seeds, I now have squash everywhere from this one pack of seeds
Samuel (verified owner) –
Very well worth the money.
Riley (verified owner) –
Very well worth the money.
Aadarsh (verified owner) –
So far so good!