Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas)
The undemanding Cornelian Cherry is a slow-growing large shrub, rarely a small tree. It produces a surprising abundance of small, yellow, sweet-smelling umbels in early spring. The sour-tasting scarlet-coloured cherry-sized fruits are edible.
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Appearance
The undemanding Cornelian Cherry is a slow-growing large shrub, rarely a small tree. It produces a surprising abundance of small, yellow, sweet-smelling umbels in early spring. The sour-tasting scarlet-coloured cherry-sized fruits are edible.
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Autumn
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Leaves
Elliptical, 4-10cm long, 2-5cm wide, leaf stem 0.5-1cm long. Leaves are glossy green above and pale green below, turning yellow-orange in autumn.
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Leaf upperside
Elliptical, 4-10cm long, 2-5cm wide, leaf stem 0.5-1cm long. Leaves are glossy green above and pale green below, turning yellow-orange in autumn.
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Leaf underside
Elliptical, 4-10cm long, 2-5cm wide, leaf stem 0.5-1cm long. Leaves are glossy green above and pale green below, turning yellow-orange in autumn.
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Flowers
Flowering period II-IV, flowers appear in very early spring with masses of small yellow umbels before the leaves sprout.
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Fruits
Oval red cherry-sized stone fruit, 2cm long, edible, sour.
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Bark
Pale grey, grey or grey-green bark peeling off in scaly flakes. Brown branches.
Application
Open country, open fields, hillside stabilization, noise abatement, bird protection, forage for honey-bees, parks, urban areas, roadside verges, car parks, pedestrian precincts, backyards, roof-gardens, container plants, gardens, front gardens, verandas
Native regions
Central and northern Europe, Southern Europe, Southeastern Europe, Middle East, Asia Minor
Location parameters
Light: full sun to semi-shady, temperature: warm to normal, soil: dry to fresh, stagnant moisture: to be avoided, soil structure: normal to loose, soil depth: medium to deep, soil quality: medium, pH value: 6.5 to 8.0
Demands
Sun to half-shade, grows extremely askew in very shady locations; heat-tolerant, fully hardy, grows in all well-drained, nutrient-rich, preferably chalky locations; resistant to urban climates and wind; hardy shrub
Growth
Height of growth: 3m to 8m, spread: 3m to 8m, slow growth potential, growth habits: wide, horizontal, bushy, pendent, shaggy
Leaves
Elliptical, 4-10cm long, 2-5cm wide, leaf stem 0.5-1cm long. Leaves are glossy green above and pale green below, turning yellow-orange in autumn.
Flowers
Flowering period II-IV, flowers appear in very early spring with masses of small yellow umbels before the leaves sprout.
Fruits
Oval red cherry-sized stone fruit, 2cm long, edible, sour.
Bark
Pale grey, grey or grey-green bark peeling off in scaly flakes. Brown branches.
Roots
Heart-rooting, fine root system