Cornus asperifolia var. drummondii SUNSHINY DROPS

Cornus asperifolia var. drummondii SUNSHINY DROPS is characterized by the originality of its saffron yellow flowering and its yellow fruits, carried by a shrub with an upright habit, which can be grown as a tree or a bush. Whether in a hedge or in a mass planting within a landscape composition, it plays the role of an ecological reserve, being attractive to bees in spring and nourishing for birds in autumn. Vigorous, robust, and undemanding, it is easy to cultivate in all well-drained soils, in full sun or shade. It can tolerate hotter and drier summers and meets the requirements of gardens with chalky soils. A light pruning in February allows this variety to maintain a beautiful shape.

Cornus asperifolia var. drummondii, belonging to the Cornaceae family, is native to the United States, particularly the state of Illinois. It can be found in forests, high rocky areas, clearings, edges, along rivers or streams, and savannas. In this region, this woody plant also thrives in tall grass prairies. It forms a shrub or a small tree ranging from 3 to 5 metres (9 feet 10 inches to 16 feet 5 inches) in height, with white-yellow flowers and white fruits.

The SUNSHINY DROPS variety is a very recent cultivar. It forms a bush with a balanced stature, upright habit, dense and ramified growth, reaching a height of 2.50 metres (8 feet 2 inches) and a spread of 1.50 metres (4 feet 11 inches). The deciduous foliage consists of opposite, elliptical to ovate leaves, measuring around 7 to 10cm (2.8 to 3.9in) in length, rough on the underside and fuzzy on the reverse. Its coloration evolves throughout the seasons, starting with a tender green, then dark green, and finally taking on beautiful purple-violet hues in autumn. The flowering, with a beautiful intensity, occurs between April and June and lasts for 2 to 3 weeks. It consists of tiny yellow flowers arranged in flat-topped clusters measuring 5 to 7cm (2 to 2.8in) in diameter. In late summer and early autumn, light yellow berries appear, which contrast well with the dark green foliage and later with the colourful autumn foliage. In late autumn, the numerous fruits become a food reserve for garden birds. After the fall of the fruits and leaves, the reddish-brown branches animate the plant throughout winter. This vigorous, hardy (up to -25°C (-13 °F)), and undemanding shrub easily adapts to all types of soil and does not suffer from occasional drought.

The SUNSHNY DROPS Cornus offers a spectacle throughout the year. It enlivens the garden in winter with its colourful branches, in spring with its dazzling flowering, in summer with its intense green foliage, and in autumn with its amazing berries that contrast with the vibrant leaves. With its modest growth, it can be planted as a standalone specimen to highlight its architectural habit. Its modest size also allows it to be part of a mixed hedge of medium height or to form a beautiful background for perennial or shrub borders. This Cornus will also find its place in a hardy hedge, alongside Aronia, Amelanchier, Sureaux, Troene du Japon, Lilacs, Viorne, in order to attract and retain wildlife in your garden.