Grey clouds, dark weather, January was in a sombre mood and this month not less! Ugh.
And then, all from the grey sky, you find a plant, only one in a big nursery, shining like a beacon between hundreds or thousands of other young shrubs. It's yellow, not the screaming colour but the one that is soft and intense at the same time: a Cornus officinalis, common name: Japanese cornel dogwood. I don't know the situation in GB, but here it is rarely found in the catalogues. There was just one here, a good strong specimen, about 3-4 years old. In France this is called the Hamamelis of the poor. The price told another story, but I have to say it outtrumped his Hamamelis neighbours.
It's not a fast grower. After 10 years doing its best, it will reach 2.5 metre. An adult one can be 5-8 metre high and 3-5 metre in width.
It has the appearance of a Cornus mas, only bigger and it flowers a bit earlier. It's a jewel with a lot of yellow flowers on naked stems at this moment, followed by dark green leaves and edible bright red fruits. Another interesting feature is its peeling bark.
It's not difficult about soil, pH or sun/partial shade. Add to this the fact that it is hardy to zone 6, not frost tender, and you have a perfect friend in the garden.
It's origine is situated in China, Korea and Japan. Since more than 2000 years it is used in the Chinese herbal medicine. In the Species Database of "Plants For A Future" it's described like a living dispensary: antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antitumor, astringent, diuretic, hepatic, hypotensive, tonic. I'm feeling already quite a lot better!
