The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: Pyramidalis cornelian-cherry dogwood

Family: Cornaceae (dogwood family)

Distribution: Species native to Europe and w. Asia

Hardiness: USDA Zone 3

Life form: Deciduous shrub/Subshrub

Comments: This rarely planted and rarely described form is quite a handsome version of the species growing up to 20' tall but only 5' wide. Deciduous leaves are opposite, simple, 3-4" long, glossy dark green in summer with little appreciative fall color. Flowers open early before the leaves unfold as yellow clusters of tiny (1/16" wide) flowers. Fruits will ripen in autumn as shiny, dark red drupes that are edible. Makes a distinctive accent plant and suffers from no serious insect or diseases.