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New Cornelian Cherry

April 21st, 2016

Last week I got a new tree for my front flowerbed. I’ve been reworking this bed, if you remember I added a hedge of box that brought with me from Ohio.
boxwood hedge 2
boxwood hedge 3
Behind the box hedge is a rock wall with a raised foundation bed. It was filled with various perennials, annuals, and lots of invasive weeds. Last fall I dug up the entire bed, removing all the plants and as much of the weed roots as possible. Most of the plants were completely infested with invasive weeds and couldn’t be saved. The good thing is that none of them are expensive plants and they can all be replaced if I want to.
cornelian cherry
The truth is that the bed needs structure, it needs shrubs, not perennials. It’s needs something that will have presence in the winter. I planted three ‘Annabelle’ hydrangeas in the area under the front window and was looking for a small flowering tree to put on the corner of the house. Originally I was thinking I’d add a crapabble, but then I spotted a Cornelian Cherry at Fieldstone Gardens last week and knew that’s what would be perfect in that spot. Not only is it beautiful and flowers very early in the spring, it will provide berries for birds later in the year. I’m always trying to add plants that maximize habitat and food for wildlife, especially birds and pollinators.
Front Flowerbed
I wanted a tree that was crooked because it needs to grow out away from the house. I found a perfectly imperfect specimen. Another lovely things about the Cornelian Cherry or the ‘Cornus Mas’ is that the bark is quite interesting as well. This will be a nice addition in the winter.
cornelian cherry bark
corns mas
If you’d like to read a little more about this lovely shrub, head on over to the Missouri Botanical Garden website to read more. This easy to grow, flowering beauty, should be a wonderful addition to my garden.

Have you added any new trees to your garden this year?

2 Comments to “New Cornelian Cherry”
  1. Chris on April 21, 2016 at 11:39 am

    That is a beautiful little tree! Like you I am always looking for at least a 3 season shrub or tree that will also benefit wildlife. Anymore, I try to plant natives! This year, I planted a native vine maple and 2 dwarf peach trees. Ok, they’re not native but good for the wildlife in the house! :)

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  2. Kristen on April 22, 2016 at 1:08 pm

    We did purchase several new trees this spring. We bought some for privacy (our darling 80 something neighbor is moving out so that means new neighbors are coming). We also bought some for landscape beauty and so our house doesn’t just look like a house in a field. Our 9 year old has been wanting a blue spruce for three years. We finally bought him one!

    Reply to Kristen's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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