Cornus mas aka Dogwood

Cornus mas is known as cornelian cherry dogwood. It belongs to the dogwood family, Cornaceae. Its native range spans central and southern Europe into western Asia. This plant sheds its leaves each year. It forms a large shrub or a small, rounded tree. Several stems often rise from a short main trunk. Dense branches spread outward and may reach almost to the ground.

Garden plants reach 15–25 feet [4.6–7.6 metres] tall. Their spread is often 12–20 feet [3.7–6.1 metres]. RHS gives a smaller range of 8–13 feet [2.5–4 metres] for both dimensions. Older trunks shed flakes of gray and tan bark. Slender young twigs can be green or purple-red. They turn brown in their second year. Glossy, dark green leaves grow in opposite pairs. Each leaf is simple, with a smooth edge. Fall leaves mix green and yellow, sometimes with red-purple tones.

Small yellow flowers open before the leaves appear. Rounded clusters, called umbels, cover the bare branches. Bloom falls in March and April, though it can start in late winter. Red, olive-shaped drupes gain color in midsummer. Eat them once they become dark red or maroon. Ripe fruit has a tart taste and can be eaten fresh. It also suits drying, jelly, and other preserves. Each fruit holds one large seed. The seeds yield edible oil and can make a roasted coffee substitute. PFAF reports no known hazards.

Grow this dogwood in sun or partial shade. It prefers rich, moist soil that drains well. It accepts sand, loam, clay, and chalk soils. It also grows across acid, neutral, and alkaline conditions. Its water needs are moderate, and routine care is low. Remove root suckers to limit its spread. Sources place it in USDA zones 4–8 and UK rating H6. Use it for hedges, screens, borders, or woodland plantings. Pruning lower branches reveals the bark and creates a tree form. Birds and squirrels eat the fruit, and branches provide nesting sites. Its hard wood has uses in tools and turned goods.

This species resists many pests, including dogwood borers and anthracnose. Resistance does not rule out disease. Stressed plants can suffer borer damage. Scale, leaf miners, and sawflies may also occur. Possible diseases include leaf spots, mildew, canker, and honey fungus. Fallen fruit can stain paths and create litter. Low branches can keep grass from growing beneath the plant.