Tree · Cornaceae family
Cornelian cherry
Cornus mas
In short a 10-second read
in the wild up to 19 ft 8¼ in
spacing 13 ft 1½ in
Where to plant and how much to water
Sun, soil and water.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil.
Sun
Soil
Watering
Frost
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (69 in).
Plant 13 ft 1½ in apart.
Reaches maturity in about 10–20 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
Through the year.
Typical for a temperate climate (four seasons). The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
March · yellow
Planting
container plant: March–April, October–November; bare-root: March–April, October–November; root-balled: March–April, October–November
Feeding
May–June
Pruning
No pruning needed — just remove dead or damaged parts (February–March).
Harvest
August–October
Feeding
Nutrition.
up to 0.18 oz/sq ft a year, if the soil needs it · May–June
Pruning
When and how to prune.
Typical for a temperate climate (four seasons).
Remove dead and damaged growth
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does Cornelian cherry flower?
In March; the flowers are yellow.
When is Cornelian cherry harvested?
In August–October.
Does Cornelian cherry tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does Cornelian cherry need?
At maturity 13 ft 1½ in–19 ft 8¼ in wide and 13 ft 1½ in–19 ft 8¼ in tall; recommended spacing 13 ft 1½ in.
Sources (19) Checked 24 October 2026
- api.gbif.org 2
- okrasna-skolka.cz
- rastlinky.sk
- plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- vdberk.com
- rhs.org.uk 2 3 4 5 6
- hgic.clemson.edu
- lwg.bayern.de
- bzfe.de
- plants.usda.gov
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: Slovakia, Czechia, Germany
Similar plants
Have a look at these too.
Japanese crabapple
Malus × floribunda
Amur maple
Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala
Harvest
When to harvest.
Using the harvest · Cornelian cherry
From the bed to the kitchen.
What you can eat, what is in it, and what to do with the harvest now and later.
Edible parts
What to do with the harvest
Now, in a few days and for winter.
- Jam and jelly: fill hot jelly into jars, process for 5 min in boiling water (longer above 984.3 ft). Keeps about a year somewhere cool and dark.
Sources (4)
Uses