How to grow Cornelian cherry

Cornus mas · European cornel, cornelian cherry dogwood

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) — cornelian cherry is a very hardy dogwood from southern Europe and western Asia, a large shrub or small tree that covers its bare branches with small yellow flowers in late winter, even earlier than forsythia. In mid to late summer it bears red, olive-shaped fruit with a single stone, sour and astringent until fully ripe, then rich and tangy, like a cross of cranberry and sour cherry. It survives about −25 °C, and grafted plants start fruiting within 1–2 years.

Checked against sources: October 3, 2026

Quick facts

Type	Fruit tree
Family	Cornaceae
Light	Full sun
Frost	tolerates light frost
First harvest after planting	about 2 years
Where it grows	Open ground

When to plant

Planted as a young plant from a nursery while it is dormant — in early spring before the buds open, or in autumn after leaf fall.

Harvest from August to September (northern hemisphere).

Frost dates · When to plant

Care

Open ground

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 7 days	—	—
Flowering	—	—	—
Fruiting	every 7 days	—	—
Harvest	every 7 days	—	—
Winter rest	—	—	—

Growing notes

Light

Plant it in full sun for the most flowers and fruit; it also grows in light or part shade.

Soil

Grows in almost any soil of average fertility, from acid to chalky and heavy clay, as long as it drains well; it does best in moist, organically rich soil.

Care

Water a young plant every week when there is less than about 2.5 cm of rain; established plants cope with drought. Remove root suckers as soon as they appear to stop it spreading. It flowers so early that bees may not be flying; then dab the flowers with a soft brush, and plant two or more varieties for a bigger crop. It needs little else and suffers from few pests and diseases.

How to tell it is ripe

The fruit has its full colour, usually bright or dark ruby red, though some varieties ripen yellow, cream or purple.
The fruit ripens a little at a time over a long spell, so ripe and unripe fruit hang together.
Unripe fruit is very astringent.
Taste one; a fully ripe fruit is juicy, with a flavour and texture somewhat like a plum.
Shake the branches, and the ripe fruit falls while unripe fruit stays on.
Spread a sheet under the plant and shake the branches again as more fruit ripens; fruit that is not quite ripe sweetens if left at room temperature for one or two days.

Pests and diseases of Cornelian cherry

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.