Cornus mas 'Schonbrunner Gourmet-Dirndl' - Cornelian cherry
Cornus mas 'Schonbrunner Gourmet-Dirndl'

Cornus mas “Schönbrunner Gourmet-Dirndl” is an Austrian variety of edible dogwood valued for its large, sweet fruit and decorative appearance. The plant grows as a large shrub or small tree, reaching a height of about 3–4 m, with a broad, spherical habit and glossy green leaves that turn warm colours in autumn. In early spring, the shrub blooms profusely with small yellow flowers before the leaves develop, making it an attractive feature in the garden and beneficial to insects. The fruits ripen in late summer and autumn (usually from the end of August) and are large, red, slightly pear-shaped and sweet, perfect for eating raw, making preserves, jams, juices or liqueurs. This variety is frost-resistant, tolerant of soil and location (sun to partial shade), grows well in most garden soils and combines decorative and practical qualities, proving itself in home gardens, as a solitary plant or in group plantings.