A unique and attractive form of Dogwood Growing as a shrub 
or small tree, it is valued for its tasty fruit and for its ornamental 
value. Our unique Ukrainian varieties produce unusually large, sweet, 
and flavorful fruit. As an ornamental, Cornelian Cherry is prized for 
its very early, delicate flowers appearing in early March before the 
leaves, its yellow and red fall color, and it's bright, red or yellow 
fruit, which taste like a Cherry or a wild Plum. Cornelian Cherry is 
good for fresh eating, preserves, juice, and wine.

Cornelian-cherry dogwood, one of the first trees to flower in spring, 
is a small, 20 to 25 feet high tree or large shrub. It thrives in 
well-drained urban conditions as a specimen plant, in masses, near a 
patio, or as a hedge. Tight clusters of small star-shaped yellow 
flowers bloom in early spring, covering the tree before leaves emerge. 
Clean, medium-green foliage appears in summer, shortly followed by dark 
red fruits which ripen in July. The tree is native to Europe and Asia.

To start Cornelian Cherries from seed, sow seeds from fresh fruits in fall, 
or stratify dried seed for 23 weeks, cold, or 16 weeks warm and then 4-16 
weeks cold. Germination can take as long as 12-15 months, though nicking 
the seed coat prior to stratification can help to speed up the process. 
Seedlings raise two large irregular oval seed leaves when they sprout, 
followed by normal foliage with leaves in pairs.

Cornelian Cherries can be grafted using any method, as long as scions are 
grafted low on the rootstock. Plants branch close to the ground, so it is 
important to make sure that all branches are coming from the scion rather 
than the rootstock.