Red Dawn™ Cornelian Cherry Tree

Red Dawn™ Cornelian Cherry

This valuable Ukrainian variety, the Red Dawn™ Cornelian Cherry bears good crops of large, bright red fruit with a pleasing, sweet-tart flavor. Red Dawn™ is particularly easy to grow and disease resistant.

A unique and attractive form of Dogwood, Cornelian Cherry is native to Ukraine and other regions around the Black Sea. Growing as a shrub or small tree, it is valued for its tasty fruit and for its ornamental value. Our unique Ukrainian varieties produce unusually large, sweet, and flavorful fruit. As an ornamental, Cornelian Cherry is prized for its very early, delicate flowers appearing in early March before the leaves, its yellow and red fall color, and it’s bright, red fruit, which taste like a Cherry or a wild Plum. Cornelian Cherry is good for fresh eating, preserves, juice, and wine.

Latin Name: Cornus mas cv. Siretski 
Site and Soil: Red Dawn Cornelian Cherry Tree prefers a sunny location with at least 1/2 day sun and well-drained soil.
Rootstock Description: Cornus Mas Seedlings
Pollination Requirements: While most varieties are somewhat self-fertile, it is recommended that at least two varieties be planted to ensure good crops.
Hardiness: Hardy to approx. minus 30° F.
Bearing Age: 2nd or 3rd year after planting.
Size at Maturity: 8-10 ft.
Bloom Time: Late February-early March
Ripening Time: Late August-Early September
Yield: 30-40 lbs.
Pests & Diseases: No pest problems have been observed on our Cornelian Cherry plants. Dogwood Anthracnose can cause black spots to appear on the leaves of some varieties during wet springs. Once the rainy weather stops, the new leaves are not affected. A copper spray in the spring and early summer should help control it. Removal of old leaves in the fall is also helpful.
USDA Zone: 4-8