Cornelian cherry

Profile

Family

Cornaceae

Habit

Shrub

Height

5.5 m

Spread

5 m

Growth

medium

Lifespan

100 years

First yield

after 10 years

Hardiness

zone 4–8

Shade tolerance

partial shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay

Soil moisture

dry – very moist

pH

6.5 – 7.5

Planned in gardens

3×

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Fruit is consumed fresh, dried, or preserved. It has a juicy texture with a pleasing acidic taste. When fully ripe, the fruit emits a plum-like scent and has a soft consistency, while unripe ones are more astringent. Due to its low pectin content, it is often mixed with other fruits for jam-making. In the past, the fruit was pickled in brine and served as a substitute for olives. Each fruit is of moderate size, reaching up to 15 mm, and contains a single large seed. The seeds yield a small amount of edible oil, and when roasted and ground, they can be used as a coffee alternative.

Medicinal: The leaves have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, fever-reducing, cleansing, poultice, and anthelmintic properties. They can also be used for body cleansing and as an anthelmintic.

Other uses: Oil is obtained from the seeds of the plant. The bark is used as a dye, while the leaves contain tannins. The plant is known to yield a red dye, although the specific plant part for this extraction is unspecified. Its wood, valued by woodworkers, is dense and sinks in water. It is utilized in making tools, machine components, and various other items.

Growing

An adaptable plant that grows well in various soil types and conditions, including heavy clay and moist soil in sunny or partially shaded locations. The Cornelian cherry is resilient to cold temperatures, withstanding lows of around -25°C. While once popular for its edible fruit, it is now less commonly grown for this purpose except in some parts of Central Europe, where different cultivars exist. Some cultivars, such as 'Macrocarpa' and 'Jolico,' offer larger and tastier fruits compared to the species. Seedlings may take up to 20 years to bear fruit, while plants from cuttings fruit earlier but have a shorter lifespan. This plant is not only attractive, blooming early in the year, but also serves as a significant food source for bees. Additionally, it shows remarkable resistance to the honey fungus.

Propagation

Seeds are ideally planted right after they mature, either in a cool storage area or outdoors if there are enough seeds. It's important to remove the seeds from the pulp to eliminate germination inhibitors. For stored seeds, a 3-4 month cold stratification is recommended before planting early in the year. Roughening the seed surface or a warm stratification period before cold treatment can aid in the process. Germination, especially for stored seeds, might be slow, taking 18 months or longer. Seedlings from seeds sown in a cool storage area should be moved to individual pots promptly and kept in a greenhouse during the initial winter before being transferred outside in spring after the final frosts. Taking cuttings from semi-ripe side shoots is advised in July/August in a cool frame. Cuttings from mature wood of the current year, preferably with a section, should be taken in autumn in a cool storage area for a high success rate. Layering of new growth is recommended in June/July and lasts for 9 months.

Notable

Special features: Pollinator, pruning, wind resistant, and soil erosion resistant; fertilization is much better with cross-pollinated seeds. Alternation is not possible with all varieties. The Lower Saxony State Agriculture and Water Board reports yields of up to 80 kg for some trees. Good for urban allotments and as food for native wildlife; seedlings can take 20 years to bear fruit for the first time.

Origin & habitat

Europe.

In Damp, soils in hedges and thickets are fertile.

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