Dwarf Cornel, Lapland cornel
Cornus suecica

Family: Cornaceae

What it is like

Cornus suecica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. It is in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.2

Where it is found

Moors and heaths, usually under heather or bilberries.

Arctic regions of Europe, America and Asia, extending south in Europe to Britain and Germany.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw or cooked. It is usually mixed with other berries. Bitter and unpalatable. The fruit is rich in pectin.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The fruit is considered to be a good tonic for the appetite.

Appetizer: Improves the appetite

Other

Rating:

The fruit is rich in pectin. A good ground-cover plant, succeeding under trees and shrubs.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Requires a moist peaty acid sandy soil.

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. Division in spring. This plant can be a bit temperamental when it is being divided. We have found it best to tease out small divisions from the sides of the clump, to avoid the need to disturb the main clump by digging it up. Try to ensure that each division has already produced some roots. Pot them up in light shade in a greenhouse and make sure that they are not allowed to become dry. Once they are rooting and growing away well, which might take 12 months, they can be planted out into their permanent positions.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Chamaepericlymenum suecicum.