Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas) ORIGINALNYJ

Cornus mas Originalnyj is a successful Ukrainian variety that wins over the grower above all with its rich, high quality and regular harvest. It is a fully hardy and disease-resistant plant. In Ukraine, but also in other regions of neighbouring countries, it is also used for the production of domestic wine. The word 'quality' is used quite often for this cultivar. Its other advantage is that it is self-pollinating. However, even with a self-pollinating cultivar, it is an advantage to have an additional plant in the pair to enhance the yield of the crop. The dark red, oval to pear-shaped fruits are outstanding for their flavour and juiciness. Even after ripening, the fruits remain on the plant, so to speak, waiting for the next fruit to ripen, making it easier to plan a complete harvest. The weight of a single fruit can normally exceed 6 grams. 

Rich in sugars and vitamin C, they have a characteristic sweet and sour taste. As they ripen, the sour notes become less pronounced. The fruit ripens in late August/early September or in the first half of September. They contain a single stone. They are eaten raw or used in hot and cold cooking and confectionery. Jams, syrups and compotes are popular. The benefits of the whole plant are also well known in folk medicine and the fruits themselves have a beneficial effect on digestion and the digestive system. It is also a traditional raw material for the production of fruit spirit - drienkovica. 

Cultivation, requirements and organic cultivation

Growth is strong and upright, very slow and on strong wood. Suitable position for the dogwood is sunny or semi-shade. Water during drought, especially young plants that are not sufficiently established. Despite its undemanding nature, it particularly appreciates a permeable and clay-free soil with a neutral or slightly alkaline pH (up to pH 7). At maturity, the shrub will reach a size of around 3 metres, possibly more. The yield of a single sapling can exceed 35 kilograms. 

It does not require pruning or cutting unless it is necessary to cut the shape or remove dry and damaged branches. As a frost- and disease-resistant species, it is a suitable garden inhabitant also in the northern and foothill regions of Slovakia. The dogwood can be grown as a shrub or as a tree. It is shaped by leaving the main straight shoot off the ground with the side shoots removed. We also take into account the structure of the plant itself, whether it has a suitable main trunk from which we can obtain a full-fledged tree trunk. 

The dogwood is not threatened by diseases or pests, so it has so far been successfully resistant to the common known diseases that affect other species. It is thus a suitable choice for the discerning grower interested in minimising chemical intervention as well as the time and cost involved in preventive protection and wintering. As a plant supplied rooted in a container, it can be planted in the garden at any time of the year, outside of the frozen months, without root disturbance.