There are several nurseries which carry selected varieties of cornus mas, Fedco, OGW, EL, Hidden Springs.
Drew, your hedge will be done blooming well before April, they usually go in March here.
I planted a 100’ row next to our driveway on 6’ centers, should put on quite a show someday!
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Yes, but selected for what?- it is usually for different colored fruit or nice bloom.
I forget the country of origin, but someone wrote an article in Nafex’s Pomona quite a while back about visiting there and finding a wide range of the fruit at markets, some of which the writer claimed was far superior to what is available in the nursery trade here and he felt certain the quality of the fruit came from the genetics of the source…
There’s a lady in Russia,who has worked only with Cornus mas for something like over twenty five years. Brady
Most Cornus mas was selected for size of fruit. the new cultivars have bigger fruit, earlier ripening too. I know of only red and yellow fruit. One yellow cultivar, only I know of. Mine are probably just the species type, or unknown. I did add two cultivars to avoid any possible pollination problems.
Yeah unless I ask a friend for a ride over I may not see it, I should be able to tell though if it bloomed from fruit formation or just wilted flowers. Hey as long as I’m there for the fruit I’m good!
How do you know this and was size wanted for visual reasons? I’m aware of no breeding program in this country to improve the quality of the fruit of this species but I’ve not searched for it. Could you do that for me?
I realize that the fruit comes in red and yellow- Raintree markets two varieties with these colors.
Fruit is often regarded as an ornamental aspect of landscape plants.
Well I have to leave to celebrate Easter at my future daughter in law’s house.
I just noticed since I began growing CM 4 years ago, multiple cultivars becoming available, all stressing size. With names like “Bigfruit”
Size is wanted for better harvests, the fruit is rather small. It tastes like sour cherry, so best only for processing. hard to get the seeds out too. Some eat them fresh, but I never tasted one sweet enough for me. I have not tasted most cultivars.
Traditionally used to flavor lamb, but I think work with many meats. The jam is quite good too. Excellent for flavoring ice cream.
Other larger cultivars are Pioneer, and Red Dawn
Besides mentioned I know of Red Star, Elegant, Sunrise, Coral Blaze, Elegant, Exotica, U-26, Golden Glory, Aurea,Yellow, and Variegata.
Here’s an article about the new cultivars in Mother Earth news.
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Watch this video about turkish cornelian cherries. They are suppose to be the best in the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVJ-tJdq_xM
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Thank you Drew, I didn’t know the improved for eating varieties were available in the U.S. The only source mentioned is One Green World, which I believe was my source for my best cold hardy kiwis many years ago.
So has anyone on this forum ever tasted a delicious cornelian cherry?
And thank you Jessica- what a wonderful video.
OK, about to go, but yes I have tasted them. Extremely sour and astringent the ones I had. A tree is on Russell Island. Somebody planted it, we are not sure who? It is behind one of the oldest cottages owned by an Armenian family. the tree is fairly big, and the fruit is small. I made jam one year, that was excellent, but tough to get the seeds out! I have since learned you need to harvest them after they drop, the sweetest at that time. I shake the tree and take what falls. They were less astringent for sure. Still had a kick, which was mellowed with lot’s of sugar. Not the ideal fruit, I like this kind of fruit though. Red currants are awesome for me, many do not like them. I think in smoothies they are better than strawberries.
You know how cranberry preserves can be chunky? The Cornelian cherries are really good like that for a meat sauce, or to put on scones, muffins etc.
I would like to know how the improved varieties taste. I don’t need to grow any more fruit for preserves- I don’t have time and my wife will not appreciate more.
Have you made preserves with black currants- they are much richer than reds and lose the cat piss quality when slightly cooked. Also great with meats.
If left on the tree til almost wrinkling,mine will taste a little sweeter than a dry red wine. Brady
No, but thanks to Bob for some cuttings I hope to in the future.
So has anyone on this forum ever tasted a delicious cornelian cherry?
Yes. The variety was Red Star. You had to stick with the ones that had fallen to the ground; everything still on the bush was very astringent. But I quite enjoyed them, and my overly picky children liked them too. The fruit was teardrop-shaped and significantly larger than a cherry.
There was a yellow-fruited variety next to it for pollination. I didn’t get the name, but I was unimpressed with it.
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Thanks.
That’s incredible.About five times bigger than the fruit on my tree.I’m going to look that one up. Thanks,Brady
I’ll be doing my planting within the next few weeks, but I’ve got everything planned out! Thanks everyone for the help. It really will make the difference in what I have space for! I’ll be sure to update this thread with pictures.
-Ross