Cornus mas Jolico - European Cornel

Cornus mas 'Jolico' is a small Dogwood with particularly sweet fruits, 2 to 3 times larger than those of the wild species. Its very early golden-yellow flowering occurs in February. The shrub is then covered with a multitude of small star-shaped flowers gathered in bouquets before the appearance of the foliage. The show continues until autumn when the Cornelian cherry displays flamboyant colours dominated by red. Very hardy, resistant to drought and limestone and low maintenance, this small Cornus will easily find its place in most gardens, but also on a terrace or a large balcony thanks to its modest dimensions!

Cornelian Cherries are native to southeastern and central Europe where their late winter flowering is appreciated to brighten up public spaces and gardens that are still bare at this time of year. In February-March, their bare branches are covered with a multitude of small golden-yellow star-shaped flowers, gathered in bouquets. They appear on secondary branches, but also on the main branches in a colourful scene. The flowers, visited by the first bees of the season, give way to the appearance of edible berries, the Cornelian cherries, which ripen and turn red at the end of summer. Cornelian cherries are vigorous, compact bushes with an upright habit when young, then spreading as they age. In our gardens, they measure about 5 m (16 ft 5 in) tall with a similar spread. They have dark green foliage, composed of elliptical leaves, 4 to 10 cm (1.6 to 3.9 in) long. In autumn, Cornus mas attracts attention when it blazes with incandescent colours, predominantly purple-red.

'Jolico' is the result of an Austrian hybridisation and is characterised by its modest dimensions (3 m (9 ft 10 in) tall by 2 m (6 ft 7 in) wide) which allow it to be grown in a pot and placed on a terrace. Its fruits also distinguish it from the typical species as they are 2 to 3 times larger than the typical Cornelian cherries. Very sweet and particularly rich in vitamin C, they are usually harvested in late September, which allows for a slightly longer Cornelian cherry-tasting season, which is usually harvested in August. They can be enjoyed as jam, jelly, or freshly fallen from the tree, provided they are fully ripe. Birds willingly feed on them, contributing to a favourable ecosystem for the health of your garden.

The 'Jolico' Cornelian cherry likes sunny to semi-shady locations. Very undemanding, it is content with ordinary, light, and poor soil, even limestone. Plant it in a mixture of potting soil and garden soil that you have enriched with organic compost, such as crushed horn. In winter, avoid stagnant water by planting it in well-drained soil. Its great hardiness allows it to withstand temperatures down to -20 °C (4 °F). Pruning Cornus mas is not necessary but can be done at the end of winter, before the start of vegetation, to shape the bush or remove dead or diseased wood. It is not very susceptible to diseases and proves to be pleasant to live with.

This small Cornelian cherry can be planted as a solitary specimen and be the highlight of a lawn from the end of winter when it is covered with flowers, in September thanks to its multitude of red berries, but also in autumn with its fiery foliage. It can also be used as a background plant in a border, backed by evergreen hedge shrubs such as Eleaegnus ebbingei or Photinia fraseri 'Red Robin' which will highlight its bright flowering. This Cornus will also find its place in a hardy hedge, alongside a Strawberry Tree or a burning bush to attract wildlife to your garden with their decorative berries. Its modest dimensions also allow it to be grown in a large container to adorn a terrace or balcony, accompanied by evergreen shrubs that will take over when the Cornus goes dormant for the winter.