Corneliancherry Dogwood

Full bloom

Cornus mas

Cornaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced

Last updated

Corneliancherry dogwood (Cornus mas, Cornaceae) is a slow-growing deciduous shrub or small tree from central and southern Europe and western Asia, reaching 20 to 25 feet tall. It is among the earliest trees to bloom, producing small yellow flowers in short-stalked umbels on bare branches in March, well before leaves emerge. Oblong red drupes (1.6 centimeters) ripen in mid-summer and are edible.

Corneliancherry dogwood grows in sun to part shade on adaptable soils (pH 5.0 to 7.5) with moderate water needs and low drought tolerance, hardy in Zones 4a to 8b. It has resprout ability and reaches about 25 feet at 20 years. It is deer-resistant and tolerates clay soil. Maintenance is low. Disease and pest associations mirror those of the Cornus genus broadly. The fruit is used in preserves and beverages in parts of Europe. No cultivars are documented in the profile.

Plant Profile

Size & Form

Height
20–25 ft
Spread
15-20 ft
Growth Rate
Slow
Size at 20 yr
25 ft
Lifespan
Moderate

Site Requirements

Light
Sun to Part Shade
Soil Drainage
Adaptable
Soil pH
5.0-7.5
Water
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
Low
Hardiness
Zones 4a–8b

Ornamental Interest

Bloom Time
March
Fall Color
Red
Origin
central and southern Europe and western Asia
Watch for this season

Active Conidial Spread

Oystershell scaleHigh

Crawler Emergence

Active Infection & Secondary Spread

Active Below-ground Growth

+ 2 more — see full disease and pest lists below

Diseases: Regionally Documented (7)

Pests: Regionally Documented (6)

Phenological Calendar

As of June 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 2435.5 to 2672.8 GDD₃₂. Corneliancherry Dogwood has passed full bloom (715 GDD₃₂).

Regional Season Tracker

GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Jun 3, 2026
Station GDD₃₂ Current Stage Next To Go
Issaquah / East King 2,673 Full bloom
Kent / Auburn 2,665 Full bloom
Seattle / UW 2,610 Full bloom
Olympia / Tumwater 2,570 Full bloom
Tacoma / Puyallup 2,535 Full bloom
Bellingham / Whatcom 2,533 Full bloom
Sequim / Rain Shadow 2,436 Full bloom
View full calendar (8 stages)
Stage GDD32 Typical Window
Bloom start BBCH 61 233 Feb 1-Mar 15
Full bloom BBCH 65 NOW 715
Bud break BBCH 07 Feb 15-Mar 15
Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69 Mar 15-Apr 15
Leaf emergence BBCH 11 Mar 15-Apr 15
Fruit/seed development BBCH 71 Jun 1-Aug 31
Fall color / leaf senescence BBCH 93 Oct 1-Nov 15
Dormancy BBCH 97 Nov 15-Feb 28
Range: 199–449 GDD₃₂ (6yr)

Sources: USDA Plants Database (seasonal estimate) ; OSU phenology catalog (OSU: weather.cfaes.osu.edu) About GDD₃₂ →

Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Jun 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Jun 19, 2026, then climate normals.

Data Maturity
Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.