Cornus officinalis
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Common Name: Japanese cornelian cherry
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Cornaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Native Range: China, Korea, Japan
Garden Location: Lang Family Bird Garden
Height: 15 to 25 feet
Spread: 15 to 25 feet
Bloom Time: March
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Fruit: Showy Fruit, Edible Fruit
Wildlife: Attracts Birds
Tolerates: Deer
Uses: Flowering Tree

Culture

Grow in acidic, organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Some afternoon shade is appreciated in hot summer climates such as the St. Louis area. Best performance occurs in cool summer climates. Provide consistent moisture and mulch root zone. Promptly remove root suckers to control spread.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Native to China, Japan and Korea, Cornus officinalis (Japanese cornel dogwood) usually grows as a large, spreading, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub to 15-25’ tall. It also may be grown as a small tree. It is very similar to Cornus mas, except it grows with a slightly more open habit, flowers one week earlier, has more attractive bark and often has brown hair tufts in the vein axils on the leaf undersides. Ovate to elliptic, dark green leaves (to 4 3/4” long). Variable fall color ranges from drab pale yellow to attractive reddish-purple. Yellow flowers appear in late winter to very early spring before the leaves in 3/4” wide clusters (umbels). Flowers are followed in fall by oblong red fruits (drupes) that are technically edible but astringent. Exfoliating bark has tones of gray and brown.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Effective in foundations, shrub borders, woodland gardens, bird gardens or naturalized areas. Grow as a hedge. Train as a small tree.

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