Plant/Tree of the Month
April 2003

Early Spring Flowering Woody Plants

Cornus mas common name Corneliancherry Dogwood

Cornus mas is a small mutistemmed tree 20 to 25' tall and 20 wide at maturity. We have a number of them on campus. Some are on the north side of Kauke Hall, some on the North side of Lowry Center, two groups at the president's home and two behind the Wooster Inn. At the end of March they are covered with small yellow flowers. It is a great choice for schools because it blooms when the rest of the landscape has yet to wake up from winter and while the students are here to enjoy the show. It has edible red fruit, which ripens in July and looks like an elongated sour cherry. The fruit is plentiful and some people make preserves with it. The plant has no particular insect or disease problems making it low maintenance. These characteristics make it a good choice for the home landscape. It is not a rare plant but can be difficult to find at your local nursery.

Forsythia

Forsythia is both the genus and common name of the plant greatly simplifying communication. It is a prunable medium sized shrub planted for its bright yellow show of flowers in April, blooming soon after the Cornus mas finish their spring show. They bloom primarily on last years growth, so are best pruned soon after blooming. There are many examples on campus. The most striking are near McGaw Chapel and at the president's home. Generally a loose open plant it is often planted near fences or property lines away from buildings but where it can be seen from indoors. It is often thought of as too informal and unkempt looking to be a foundation plant but can be shaped (as the picture shows to provide a bright hedge. There are many cultivars available and should be readily available at garden centers.

» Previous Plants of the Month