The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: purple-fruit 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: A medium size deciduous tree to large shrub growing 15' tall and wide. Yellow flowers in early spring occur just when you think you can't stand winter any longer. These flowers are not like the showy white bracts of flowering dogwood, but occur in greater numbers. The cherry-like fruits mature to deep purple-blue. They are edible once you get used to the tartness. Leaves are glossy, dark green through the summer usually turning yellowish green in fall. A tough and tolerant tree in the landscape.