The Cornelian cherry dogwood is a low-maintenance fruit tree that isn’t very picky about where it lives. Whether it’s in your backyard or along a walkway, this tree is a total showstopper.
The Best Time to Plant Your Cornelian Cherry
If you’re looking to add a new Cornelian cherry to your garden, your best bet is to plant it in either the spring or the fall. These trees are super hardy, so once they’re in the ground, they can handle the winter weather just fine year-round.
Finding the Perfect Spot
When it comes to finding the right location, the Cornelian cherry is pretty easygoing. You’ll want to pick a spot that gets plenty of sun, though they can handle partial shade too. Just keep in mind: the more sun it gets, the happier it’ll be—which means more beautiful blooms and a bigger harvest of fruit!
As for the soil, it’s not too demanding there either. However, it’ll really thrive if the soil is:
- Slightly alkaline (chalky),
- Loose and well-draining,
- And kept consistently moist (but not soggy!).
How to Plant Your Tree
Start by digging a hole at your chosen spot. Cornelian cherries are shallow-rooted, meaning their roots like to spread out sideways rather than diving deep into the earth. Make sure your hole is wide and deep enough to comfortably fit the entire root ball. Once it’s tucked in, fill the hole back up with soil and give it a gentle press to firm it down.
Spacing Things Out
If you’re planting it as a standalone fruit tree or a focal point in your yard, give it some breathing room. These trees can grow to be about 20 feet tall on average, so you’ll want to space them about 10 feet apart from other trees or shrubs.
If you’re planning to plant them as a hedge, you can put them much closer together. About 30 to 40 inches apart usually does the trick.
Good Neighbors for Your Garden
The Cornelian cherry plays well with almost everyone. For a really polished look, try planting some groundcovers underneath, like ferns or hostas. Early spring flowers like crocuses also look fantastic peeking out from under the branches.
Transplanting a Cornelian Cherry
You can move a Cornelian cherry to a new spot if you need to, but fair warning: the bigger the tree, the harder it is to dig up and reset. Also, keep in mind that it might take a few years for the tree to start blooming again after the move while it gets settled into its new home.
