Plant, care for, cut and more

Plant cornel correctly

Professional planting sets the course for a cornel unfolds her charismatic aura in the garden. Therefore, pay attention to the following workflow:

• Weed the humic, nutrient-rich soil in a sunny location in autumn and loosen it deeply
• Dig a planting pit with twice the volume of the root ball
• Mix the excavation with compost, horn shavings, bark humus or leaf soil
• Remove the nursery pot to bury the plant as deep in the center as before
• Using this method, plant a pollinator variety in close proximity

Tread the earth without applying too much pressure. In the last step, water thoroughly and spread a layer of mulch.
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care tips

With a targeted care program, the cornelian cherry gains a fascinating presence in your garden over the years. We have summarized all relevant measures for you in the following:

• In the first few years, water regularly when it is dry
• Water adult shrubs and trees only during summer drought
• Organic in the fall fertilize with compost and horn shavings
• Spread a nutrient-giving mulch layer of leaves, compost or bark mulch and keep it fresh
• Cut back if necessary immediately after flowering
• Carefully thin out the bush or crown every 2 to 3 years

An explicit hibernation is not necessary. Nevertheless, a protective layer of leaves and needle brushwood makes sense in the year of planting, since the frost hardiness has not yet fully developed.

Which location is suitable?

If the Cornelian cherry finds a sun-drenched location, this advantage will be rewarded with an abundance of flowers and lush fruit. in the penumbra the wild fruit tree also thrives as long as there is at least 4 hours of sunlight per day. The shrub is tolerant of soil conditions. It likes to stretch out its roots in nutrient-rich, humus-rich, fresh and well-drained soil that ranges from slightly acidic to neutral to slightly calcareous.
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The right planting distance

Cultivated as a shrub, the cornelian cherry develops a spacious habit that almost corresponds to its growth height. So that the ornamental tree can develop unhindered, we recommend planting 1 specimen for every 4 square meters of garden area. Please keep a distance of at least 200 cm to the neighboring property and to traffic routes. If the shrub is part of a natural hedge, you are correct with a distance of 150-200 cm between the plants. The pollinator variety does not necessarily have to be cultivated as a plant neighbor. It is sufficient if this is located within the garden.

What soil does the plant need?

The cornel feels in good hands in fresh, moist, humus-rich and nutrient-rich soil. The soil should primarily be deep and loosely structured so that the roots can establish themselves unhindered. It is advantageous for growth, abundance of flowers and fruit when the pH value is in the neutral to slightly acidic range.

What is the best planting time?

Autumn is the best time to welcome the new guest in the garden. Choose a dry, overcast day between late August and early November. At this time the soil is deeply warmed and offers the young roots excellent growth conditions. As long as the ground is not frozen, there is nothing wrong with planting trees and shrubs. During a mild winter, this can still be the case in December, January or February.

When is flowering time?

The flowering period of a cornelian cherry extends from March to April. Under favorable weather conditions, the blossom festival begins at the end of February. However, the sword of Damocles of frozen buds constantly hovers over such an early bloom. So that the flowers are not damaged, wrap the crown in jute overnight when the ground frost is announced garden fleece.

Cut the cornel correctly

As a classic early bloomer, cut the cornel into shape immediately after flowering. Proceed as cautiously as possible, since the seed heads for the fruit hanging could fall victim to each cut. How to do it right:

• Shorten shoots that are too long by a maximum of one third immediately after flowering
• Start each cut just above an outward facing eye
• At the same time, thoroughly remove deadwood and stunted growth from the bush or crown
• Whole branches standard always up a string cut, cut close to the ground on the bush

So that the bush does not bare from the inside, it should be thoroughly thinned out at least every 2-3 years. An old farmer's rule says that a cap thrown into the wood should fall through to the ground.
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Pour the cornel

In the first few years, a young cornel depends on a regular water supply. Older, well-rooted shrubs regulate their water balance largely independently. Therefore, water the shrub regularly up to the age of five when the soil has dried. It is an advantage if you water thoroughly 2 to 3 times a week during the summer dry season, instead of using the watering can every day. Leave that water hose Run for 20 to 30 minutes without damaging waterlogging. A regularly renewed layer of bark mulch or leaves keeps the soil moist and warm for longer.

Fertilize cornel properly

In order to provide the early flowering cornelian cherry with sufficient nutrients at the start of the season, it receives a well-measured portion of compost with horn shavings in autumn. This makes sense insofar as organic fertilizers only start working at temperatures well above 10 degrees Celsius. The administration of natural fertilizer in February or March is therefore useless. If the fruits are intended for consumption, we advise against using mineral ones complete fertilizer since the chemical components can accumulate in the pulp.

hibernate

The cornelian cherry is completely hardy and does not require any special precautions for the winter period. In the year of planting, however, we recommend spreading a protective layer of bark mulch, compost or leaf soil over the root disk. In addition, the buds and flowers are protected with a breathable hood from late winter when the frost strikes.

Propagating cornel

To propagate a wild fruit tree, such as the cornelian cherry, you have the choice of the following approaches:

• Cut the top cuttings in April/May and root them in the pot
• Pull side shoots to the ground as sinks, cover in the middle with soil, fix and wait for rooting
• Cut sticks in autumn, plant in the ground, cover with leaves and allow to root

the sowing the seeds from the pulp is also possible, although not recommended for the hobby garden. Stratification is required to break the germination inhibition. However, it can take several months for the cotyledons to appear. It can take up to 5 years for a seedling-propagated cornel to bloom for the first time.
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Is cornel poisonous?

The cornel is the ideal wild fruit tree for the family garden, as it does not contain any questionable substances. On the contrary, the pea-sized drupes are even edible, but have a very sour aroma. As part of the preparation with plenty of sugar, the red fruits are then transformed into refreshing jelly, delicious jam or invigorating liqueur.
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Cornelian cherry does not bloom

It is so devastating when the long-awaited spring blossom of a cornel does not appear. We have compiled the most common causes for this shortcoming with tips for rectifying them for you here:

• Cause: pruning at the wrong time. Solution: Cut the cornelian cherry only after flowering
• Cause: Frozen buds. Solution: Cover the branches with fleece from the end of January when it freezes
• Cause: lack of light. Solution: Settle the shrub in a sunny to shaded location
• Cause: drought stress. Solution: Keep young shrubs and standard trees evenly moist for the first few years

If it is a seedling-propagated specimen, a long line of patience is required until the first flowering. At the earliest after 2-3 years - usually even later - the cornelian cherry dresses in its first flowers.
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How do I raise the cornel to a standard?

In order for the wild fruit tree to develop into a magnificent house tree, take the first steps as part of the planting. The strongest drive is chosen for the future tribe. All other branches are cut off. If the main shoot already has side shoots, these are cut off on a string. A support post, which you drive into the ground to connect to the trunk with raffia or sisal, serves to protect against wind throwing. As the main shoot gains height, consistently remove all side shoots and water shoots while leaving the top untouched. Once the trunk has reached the desired growth height, cut off the top to start the branching to the crown.

Beautiful varieties

• Jolico: Popular variety with golden yellow flowers and vitamin-rich, deep red fruits from September above colorful foliage
• Schönbrunner Gourmet Dirndl: This magnificent variety provides what is probably the tastiest cornel with a sour-sweet aroma
• Japanese cornel: It blooms in beautiful yellow from the end of February on still leafless twigs
• Macrocarpa: Presents us with the largest fruits that are pear-shaped and taste less acidic
• Variegata: A firework of colors with yellow flowers, red cornelles and green leaves edged in white
• Mascula: Acts as a conspicuous pollinator with profuse flowering from the first year or two