Cornus mas YELLOW™

Yellow Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas YELLOW™) is a unique yellow-fruited Cornelian Cherry, prized for its exceptionally early bloom - flowering even before forsythia. In March, charming frost-hardy, lemon-yellow flowers appear in dense, showy clusters along bare branches. A welcome burst of brightness against the late-winter landscape.

The oval, yellow fruits measure approximately 2.5 cm and are one-seeded, fleshy berries (referred to as drupes), borne singly or in small clusters. Compared to traditional red-fruited varieties, they have a milder, less acidic, sweet-tart flavor. The fruit is excellent for making tasty compote and preserves (particularly flavourful jams), as well as eating fresh. Birdwatchers will appreciate this tree, as the drupes are highly attractive to birds—and other wildlife—who will happily compete with humans for the harvest.

Leaves are dark green throughout the growing season, with fall colour typically a blend of green and yellow, occasionally accented with reddish-purple tones. On mature trees, the bark becomes scaly and exfoliating, adding winter interest.

This Yellow Cornelian Cherry Dogwood is highly versatile in the landscape. It can be trained as a small standard tree or grown as a multi-stemmed shrub. It performs well when planted in masses, as a hedge, or even as a specimen close to a patio in urban settings. Cornus mas YELLOW™ adapts to a wide range of soil types, provided drainage is good, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Once established, this yellow cornel tree requires little attention. For optimal fruit production, plant two different cultivars or seedlings to ensure cross-pollination.

A distinctive and attractive form of dogwood, Yellow Cornelian Cherry plant is native to Ukraine and other regions around the Black Sea. It is notably resistant to dogwood anthracnose and dogwood borer.