Cornus hongkongensis
Family: Cornaceae
What it is like
Cornus hongkongensis is an evergreen Shrub growing to 15 m (49ft 3in). It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to June, and the seeds ripen from October to December. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 15
Where it is found
Thickets, broad-leaved evergreen forests, roadsides, by streams, valleys, slopes and forests at elevations of 400 - 2500 metres.
E. Asia - S. China.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Fruit. Eaten raw and used for making wine. In some forms, the fruit is sweet and tasty. The subspecies C. hongkongensis ferruginea has been particularly mentioned.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
The hard wood is used as building material and agricultural implments.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
How it is grown
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though it is likely to succeed out of doors at least in the milder areas of the country. A very variable species, it is sometimes divided up into a number of closely related but distinct species. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility, ranging from acid to shallow chalk. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or light shade. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in an outdoors seedbed if there is sufficient seed. The seed must be separated from the fruit flesh since this contains germination inhibitors. Stored seed should be cold stratified for 3 - 4 months and sown as early as possible in the year. Scarification may also help as may a period of warm stratification before the cold stratification. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow, taking 18 months or more. 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.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist