Why Plant Cornelian Cherry Dogwood?
When the birds ramp up their love songs and the first plants send out new green shoots, look to the Cornelian Cherry Dogwood tree's cheery yellow flowers to confirm that spring is on its way. This super-early bloomer will be a soothing sight to your winter-weary eyes each spring. With its dense, bushy habit, Cornelian Cherry Dogwood makes a nice seasonal privacy screen when planted along your property border, and this wildlife-friendly tree provides cover for small birds, too. It also supplies birds and small animals with shiny red fruits to eat. Grab a few to snack on yourself - they're a source of calcium and Vitamin C and contain antioxidants, like blueberries and other "superfruits"!
Humans have enjoyed the fruits of this tree for 7,000 years. In the Middle Eastern and European countries where it is native, its "cherries" are still the star of jellies, syrups, and drinks. Americans have not developed a taste for the somewhat pucker-inducing fruits, and in this country, birds are usually allowed to make off with the harvest. (Many songbirds also like to nest in the tree's thickly set branches). The yellow flowers - delightfully early - appear even before forsythia is stirring. And anyone can appreciate that.
How to use Cornelian Cherry Dogwood in the landscape?
Valued for its display of yellow flower clusters, Cornelian Cherry Dogwood is an eye-catcher in the early spring months. A low branched tree, it's perfect in border plantings, as a screen or even as a specimen. Bright red fruit appears in mid-summer but is quickly consumed by our feathered friends.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zones: 4-7
How To Plant Cornelian Cherry Dogwood
Although Cornelian Cherry is a dogwood (not a cherry), it is not as particular in its requirements as many dogwoods are, nor is it as susceptible to the diseases they sometimes get. It prefers a well-drained site in full sun or light shade and can get along on minimal irrigation once established. In its natural state, Cornelian Cherry Dogwood normally takes the form of a "trub," or a shrubby, low-branched tree, but a fine specimen form may be had by clearing away the twiggy growth on the lower branches, giving the plant a neater outline.
How To Water
Water regularly after initial planting. Once established, they are more tolerant of drought conditions, reducing your hand-watering responsibilities.
How To Fertilize
Dogwoods like fertilizer! During fall, feed your Dogwood Bower & Branch Elements Fertilizer once a year for about the first 3 or 4 years - this will give your tree all the nutrients it needs.
How To Prune
Dogwoods should be pruned so that dead branches and twigs that may be diseased can be removed. Do not compost any disease branches, dispose of them appropriately in the garbage. Pruning is best done after the flowers are spent.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
