Cornelian cherry – growing tips

European cornel, cornelian cherry or dogwood (Cornus mas) is a deciduous tree that produces very healthy fruit. You can grow it in warmer areas in Europe. It is an undemanding bush that can give you a big harvest. The fruit is used to make various healthy products rich in vitamin C. Because this tree is very useful and undemanding you should definitely try growing it.

Site selection

Dogwood tolerates droughts and freezing temperatures well and you can grow it almost anywhere. It will grow on less fertile soils well but if you want to get the most out of it, you should provide a fertile, calcium-rich soil. It is similar with sunlight. Dogwood loves direct sunlight, but it will also grow well in a partial shade.

Photo: Pixabay

Shrub or tree?

Dogwood is a woody plant that you can grow as a large bush or a small tree. You can shape it and cut it well, so some gardeners even make a hedge out of it. If you want to grow dogwood as a tree, leave only one shoot and shorten all side branches down to 70 four 80 cm. If you do that, a crown will form from the taller shoots.

Caring for dogwood

Prune dogwood as needed, which usually includes a light and sanitary cut. You do not need to fertilize it. Just enrich it with compost and manure in the spring. Dogwood is not susceptible to pests or diseases so, most likely you will not need any chemical sprays. If you do, you need to wash the fruit thoroughly. No winterizing is needed but if you can, cover the area under dogwood with a textile or bark.

How many dogwood should you plant?

To ensure the best possible harvest, plant at least two dogwoods 2.5 m apart. The plant does not tolerate transplanting well and grows for a long time, so think carefully where to you want to place it. Dogwood begins to flower early in the spring, even before leaves develop. It is a beautiful sight and you do not need to worry about the flowers because they are frost resistant. Depending on the variety you have the fruit usually ripen from late August to October.

Source: https://porady.interia.pl/ogrody/news-jak-uprawiac-derenia-jadalnego,nId,4914371

Preview photo: Pixabay