Corneliancherry Dogwood
Cornus mas
Cornaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced
Last updated
This profile synthesizes data from multiple published sources. Expert field review is in progress.
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.
Quick Facts
Phenological Calendar
As of April 23, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1434.4 to 1592.7 GDD₃₂. Corneliancherry Dogwood has passed full bloom (715 GDD₃₂).
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Apr 23, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 1,593 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 1,554 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 1,537 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 1,505 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,483 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,472 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,434 | Full bloom | — | — |
| 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 |
GDD = Growing Degree Days (base 32°F, Jan 1 start). Why base 32? Source GDD₅₀ thresholds from Herms 2004 (OSU, Secrest Arboretum, Ohio) and UMD IPMnet (Gill & Klick, mid-Atlantic), converted to GDD₃₂ via Kent bloom-date mapping. Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Apr 23, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 9, 2026, then climate normals.