Cornus quinquenervis
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Perennial (hardy)
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Frost limit
- −28.9 °C
Cultivation
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in an outdoors seedbed if there is sufficient seed. Prick out the seedlings of cold-frame sown seeds into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow the plants on for their first winter in a greenhouse, planting out in the spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, taken with a heel if possible, autumn in a cold frame. High percentage. Layering of new growth in June/July. Takes 9 months.
Edible uses
A specimen of this species seen growing at Kew in September 1994 was carrying a few red fruits about 30mm long and 12mm wide - these were not fully ripe and were slightly astringent but they showed some potential[K]. There must be some doubt about the validity of the name of the Kew plant since the botanical description of the plant says that the fruits are black, globose and 6mm in diameter[K].
Habitat
Hillsides, mountain forests and thickets by streams from sea level to 2500 metres.
Native range
E. Asia - China.