Japanese Cornelian Cherry is a deciduous shrub native to China, Japan, and Korea that grows 15-25 feet tall with a spreading, multi-stemmed habit. Hardy in zones 5-8, this dogwood relative produces showy yellow flowers in March, nearly a week earlier than its close relative Cornus mas, followed by edible red fruit that birds find irresistible. Its distinctive bark and leaf undersides with attractive brown hair tufts give it character year-round, while its low-maintenance nature and deer resistance make it a reliable performer in cool summer climates.
Partial Sun
Moderate
5-8
300in H x 300in W
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High
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The flowers arrive early in spring, bursting into golden display when the garden still feels dormant, and the bark develops a character that rivals ornamental specimens twice its price. Unlike many dogwoods, this species tolerates a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade, so you're not locked into one planting spot. The edible fruit attracts birds in waves, turning your shrub into a living wildlife magnet, though you'll need to net it if you want to harvest any yourself.
Japanese Cornelian Cherry functions as a flowering tree or large ornamental shrub in the landscape, prized for its early spring display of showy yellow flowers. The edible red fruit is attractive to birds and wildlife, making it excellent for gardens designed to support native fauna. The fruit can be harvested for culinary or medicinal purposes, following traditional uses in East Asian cuisines and folk medicine preparations.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Germinate seeds at 60-75°F indoors before transplanting outdoors after the last frost date.
Transplant hardened seedlings outdoors after the last frost date into soil amended with organic matter, spacing 15-25 feet apart to accommodate mature width.
Harvest ripe fruit in late spring when they turn deep red and are slightly soft to the touch. Either pick by hand or allow fruit to fall naturally if you're comfortable sharing the harvest with birds. The timing varies slightly based on your climate zone, but expect ripening several weeks after the March bloom.
Remove root suckers promptly as they appear to maintain a clean, multi-stemmed shrub form or single-trunk tree structure. Prune after flowering in spring to maintain shape and encourage next season's flower buds.
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“Cornus officinalis has been cultivated in East Asian gardens and medicine for centuries, particularly in China, Japan, and Korea where it holds deep cultural roots. The plant entered Western horticulture through botanical exploration and plant collecting expeditions to Asia, becoming valued in temperate gardens for its early bloom, superior bark texture, and fruit production. Missouri Botanical Garden and other major institutions have preserved and documented this species, recognizing it as a superior alternative to the more commonly grown Cornus mas for cooler climates.”