About
Cornus officinalis is a robust, sprawling shrub characterized by its coarse, peeling brown bark. The foliage consists of ovate dark green leaves that transition to red-purple during the fall. In late winter, before the emergence of new leaves, this plant produces yellow flowers in loose clusters measuring about 2 cm in diameter. These blooms are succeeded by vibrant red fruits that are edible.
About the genus
Cornus includes a variety of deciduous shrubs and trees, as well as prostrate, woody perennials, some featuring vibrant young stems. The small flowers appear in compact clusters, occasionally accompanied by prominent bracts. Several species display attractive foliage in the fall.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- China
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Tolerant of a range of soils and locations but best in fertile, humus-rich well-drained neutral to acid soil in full sun or part shade. For more advice, see flowering dogwood cultivation
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in autumn or stratify and sow in spring or propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to horse chestnut scale
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose and honey fungus