Cornus mas Schönbrunner Gourmet Dirndl - European Cornel

Cornus mas 'Schönbrunner Gourmet Dirndl' is an Austrian variety that stands out for its more erect and compact habit and abundant fruiting, of good size. The bush produces red fruits from the end of August, quite large for the species, in the shape of a 3 cm (1.2 in) long pear with a sweet taste, edible raw or prepared as jams, jellies, liqueurs or juices. With medium growth and only reaching 4 m (13 ft) high and 3 m (10 ft) wide, it is an interesting choice to enhance a terrace border or a small lawn, in isolation. From March-April, the bush is covered with bunches of tiny star-shaped bright yellow flowers, catching the eye from afar. In autumn, it is just as decorative with its deciduous foliage with orange-red hues. A very hardy and robust bush, tolerating heat, drought and limestone!

Cornels originate from the southeast and centre of Europe where their late winter flowering is appreciated for brightening public spaces and gardens still bare at this time of year. In February-March, their bare branches are covered with a multitude of small star-shaped golden flowers, gathered in bouquets. They appear on secondary shoots, but also on the main branches in a colourful scene. The flowers are visited by the first bees of the season and give way to edible berries, the cornels, which ripen and redden at the end of summer. Male cornels are vigorous, compact bushes, with a stiff habit in a juvenile state, then spread out as they age. In our gardens, they measure about 5 m (16 ft) high with an equivalent span. They bear dark green foliage, composed of elliptical leaves, 4 to 10 cm (1.6 to 3.9 in) in length. In autumn, the Cornus mas catches the eye when it ignites with incandescent colours, dominated by purple-red.

‘Schönbrunner Gourmet Dirndl' is the result of Austrian hybridization and is characterized by more compact dimensions than the typical species and a more erect habit. It measures 4 m (13 ft) high and 3 m (10 ft) wide making it suitable for enhancing a small garden or framing a terrace. Its fruits also distinguish it from the typical species as they are 2 to 3 times larger than classic cornels. Very sweet and particularly rich in vitamin C, they are generally harvested from late August to September which extends the cornel-tasting season that usually takes place in August. They can be enjoyed as jam, jelly or just fallen from the tree provided they are ripe. Birds love to feed on them which helps to maintain a healthy ecosystem in your garden. Self-fertile, it is nevertheless recommended to plant at least two specimens to obtain satisfactory fruiting.

The Male Cornel 'Schönbrunner Gourmet Dirndl' likes sunny to semi-shaded situations. Very undemanding, it is content with ordinary, light and poor soil, even limestone. Plant it in a mix of horticultural compost and garden soil that you have enriched with an organic fertiliser. In winter, avoid stagnant water by planting it in well-drained soil. Its great hardiness allows it to withstand temperatures down to -20°C (-4°F). Pruning Cornus mas is not necessary but can be done at the end of winter, before regrowth, to shape the bush or remove dead or diseased wood. It is not very susceptible to diseases and pleasant to live with.

This little Male Cornel can be planted in isolation and be the highlight of a lawn from the end of winter when it is covered with flowers, in September thanks to its multitude of red berries, but also in autumn with its fiery foliage. It can also be used in the background of a bed, supported by evergreen hedge bushes like Eleaegnus ebbingei or Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’ which will highlight its luminous flowering. This Cornus will also find a place within a hardy hedge, alongside a Strawberry Tree or a burning bush to attract the fauna of your garden thanks to their decorative berries. Its modest dimensions also allow it to be grown in a large container to decorate a terrace or balcony, in the company of evergreen bushes that will take over when the Cornus goes to sleep for the winter.