Cornus mas “Redstone” – Cornelian Cherry seeds

Description

Pack of 5 seeds

Cornus mas, known as Cornelian cherry, is a cold-hardy, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small tree valued for its early flowers, attractive form, and edible fruit. The cultivar ‘Redstone’ is selected for improved fruit size, flavour, and yield, making it especially suitable for home orchards or mixed food forests.

Plants reach 4–7 metres tall, with a spreading, slightly arching habit. They flower very early — often in late winter — with clusters of small yellow blooms that provide one of the first sources of pollen for bees. The oblong red fruits ripen from late summer to early autumn and can be eaten fresh when fully soft, or used in preserves, syrups, and wines. The taste is tart-sweet, similar to sour cherry or cranberry.

Cornus mas is highly adaptable, growing well in full sun to part shade and in a variety of soil types, provided drainage is good. It is cold-hardy to –30°C and has no major pests. Chilling requirements for fruit set are moderate — typically around 800–1,000 hours of winter chill.

Though some cultivars are self-fertile, Cornus mas fruits far more reliably with cross-pollination. If growing from seed, plant five to seven seedlings to ensure enough genetic diversity for good fruit production.

Germination and Cold Stratification:
Seeds require a double dormancy — a warm stratification phase followed by a cold one. Begin with 16–20 weeks of warm, moist stratification at ~20°C, then move to 12–16 weeks of cold stratification at 1–5°C. Germination may take a full year or more and is often staggered.

Outdoor Stratification Tip:
In temperate parts of New Zealand, Cornus mas can be stratified naturally outdoors. Sow seeds in moist medium in pots or trays in autumn and leave them outdoors in a rodent-proof location. The seasonal cycle will take them through the necessary phases, with germination likely occurring in late spring or the following year.

Pack of 5 seeds