Cornus mas - European Cornel

The Cornus mas or Cornelian cherry is a rather unknown bush that nevertheless has many qualities. It offers a beautiful yellow flowering in late winter - early spring, followed by lovely red berries (edible cornelians) and red-purple coloured foliage in autumn. Very hardy, at least down to -15°C (5°F), it is also characterized by its resistance and longevity and can live up to 100 years!

The Cornelian cherry is native to Europe. Like all Cornus, it belongs to the Cornaceae family. It is a spreading bush that reaches, at maturity, a height and width ranging from 2 to 5m (6.5 to 16ft). It enjoys sunlight and is not demanding: it grows very well in chalky, ordinary, or even poor soil and tolerates slightly more acidic soils quite well.

Its bright yellow flowers appear in February - March, before the leaves, in the form of numerous small umbels. Its deciduous leaves are oval, 4 to 10cm (3.9in) long and arranged opposite on its square-sectioned branches. They are slightly wavy. Its fruiting occurs in late summer, in September, in the form of edible, elongated red drupes, about 1cm (.5in)long with a tangy flavor. They can be consumed dried, similar to goji berries, or used to make jams.

The Cornus mas is also known for its wood: dense and very hard, it was once used to make arrows, javelin, tool handles or walking sticks.

It is a very easy bush to use in the garden. Tolerating pruning, it can be planted as a natural or trimmed hedge, or even as a standalone specimen. It easily pairs with other spring-flowering bushes such as Japanese Quinces or Korean White Forsythia.

It is also appreciated for its ecological interest: its early flowering feeds the first bees and other pollinators and its fruits are highly appreciated by birds.