Japanese cornel (Cornus officinalis) is a tall shrub or small tree dogwood which matures to 20-25 feet in height and 15 feet in width. ‘Sunsphere’ Japanese cornel was discovered by Mike Stansberry, owner of  Beaver Creek Nursery in Knoxville, TN.

Japanese cornel is the official start of spring in my garden, even though the calendar reads late February.  This cultivar is a heavy bloomer, the bright yellow flowers about 7-10 days before other Japanese cornels. Flowers are rarely injured by low night temperatures still common across the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7) in late February and March.

Japanese cornel grows in any average well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Spring-summer foliage is dark green, and autumn colors varing from light yellow to reddish purple before falling. As the grayish outer bark ages, it chips off in tiny strips, exposing the yellow-orange inner wood. In late summer the cherry red drupe fruits have colored up and are consumed by hungry birds.

Sunsphere is available thru internet purchase or stop by Beaver Creek Nursery in Knoxville, TN.

Next up: ‘Kintoki’ Japanese cornel features lovely summer-fall glossy foliage