Cornus mas

Sunset

Cornus kousa

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Zones 1-6, 32-41

Full, Partial

Moderate

Cornelian Cherry
Cornaceae
Deciduous, Edible fruit, Shrubs, Trees, Decorative fruit or berries

CORNUS

All dogwoods offer attractive foliage and blossoms; some have spectacular fruit or winter bark. Leaves of many types turn brilliant colors in fall. What appear to be flower petals in many dogwoods are actually bracts—petal-like modified leaves. These surround the inconspicuous true flowers.

Cornus mas

Native to southern Europe, Asia. Usually an airy, twiggy shrub but can be trained as small tree (15–20 ft. high and wide). One of earliest dogwoods to bloom, bearing clustered masses of small, soft yellow blossoms on bare twigs in mid- to late winter. Oval, 2–4-in.- long leaves turn from shiny green to yellow (or red, in some forms) in autumn. Fall color is enhanced by clusters of cherry-size, bright scarlet fruits that hang on until birds get them. Fruit can be used for preserves. In winter, flaking, mottled gray-and-tan bark provides interest. Tolerates alkaline soils.