Cornus Capitata

Description

This outstanding shrub or small tree bears long-lived "flowerheads" of enormous, impressive, buttercup-shaped flowers, consisting of waxy, creamy, butter-coloured bracts, followed by large red, strawberry-like fruits, which ripen right into early winter, producing a truly impressive sight. These are not really edible for us discriminating humans, but animals and birds love the ample fleshy insides. This is vaguely sweet, and tastes of nothing really, but can perhaps be likened to a large flavourless strawberry, amply filled with smooth, round, woody seeds, the size of small lemon pips! Anyway, this is certainly the best and most rewarding of all the cornus species growable from seed, and our fresh seed is already stratified.

Sowing Advice

Seeds have already been thoroughly cleaned and cold-stored for several months. Sow into well-drained, sandy compost at any time of year, cover to their own depth with sand or grit. No artificial heat is needed; seed tray is best left in a cool protected spot and kept moist. Seeds usually germinate in spring, regardless of when sown.

Key Facts