North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Ginda Fisher <list@ginda.us>]

On Apr 1, 2011, at 3:09 AM, Steven Covacci wrote:

> Group: 
> 
> 
> CORNELIAN CHERRY [C. mas] - 
> 
> 
> I'm looking for a recommendation for a cultivar (selected for edibility) 
> for cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas); and perhaps scionwood or a 
> nursery that carries the cultivar.
> 

I have three C. mas, Jolico, Elegant, and something else whose name tag is 
currently buried in the snow.  One of these (not Jolico) has fruited.  I 
thought it was delicious.  It was tasty but extremely sour when red and firm, 
and sweeter and less sour and more richly flavored when it got soft.

It took several years for the trees to fruit, and the one that finally did 
fruit two years ago decided not to this year.  I think one of the others had 
female flowers last year, and might even have set a fruit or two, but if it 
did it dropped them early in the season.  So in my experience, this crop 
takes a lot of patience.

Mine are growing in the shade, though, so perhaps you'd get fruit faster in 
the sun.

Ginda
Eastern MA, zone 6