Choosing dogwood varieties for your favorite garden
Not everyone likes the fruits of this unique shrub, but its beneficial properties encourage gardeners to think about growing it. Before getting down to business, it would be wise to consider the proposed dogwood varieties that are successfully bearing fruit in our area. And when there is knowledge, it is easier to make a choice.
Acquaintance with affordable exotic
Dogwood is a deciduous shrub or small tree. The plant got its name, apparently, from the color of its unique fruits, which ripen in late August or early autumn. Translated from the Turkic language, the word "kizil" means "red". In nature, various varieties of dogwood are found on the territory:
- Europe;
- Asia Minor;
- China;
- Japan.
The shrub began to be cultivated in ancient Greece and Rome. To do this, the gardeners selected the best options, and then planted them on their plots. In the middle latitudes, various varieties of dogwood were cultivated already in the 17th century. Since the then reigning king was keenly interested in exotic plants.
According to some historians, the first settlers of the American continent used dogwood to brush their teeth. From its wood, the natives made arrows, and over time, household items.
Typically, dogwood reaches 2.5 m in height. Its crown consists of glossy red or orange shoots. If a branch comes into contact with the soil, then in a short time it is able to put down roots and turn into a new one. bush... Numerous shoots of the plant are crowned with foliage of the opposite character, which is colored dark green. Depending on the climatic conditions of the territory where the dogwood grows, the flowering period begins at different times.
After successful pollination on the shrub, fruits appear in the form of a drupe, painted in colors:
- deep red;
- Orange;
- dark blue;
- the black;
- black and blue;
- pink;
- yellow;
- purple.
Gardeners are particularly impressed by the white dogwood with a firm crust and tender pulp. Ripening begins in August, but the fruits acquire a special taste after the first frost. In form, they are:
- elongated cylindrical;
- pear-shaped;
- round;
- barrel-shaped.
In addition, different types of berries differ in their taste. Some are slightly dry, others are juicy. They are found with a tart aftertaste or with a savory sweetness.
Dogwood varieties for every taste
Today there are about 50 different types of dogwood known. Each of them has its own characteristics:
- shrub height;
- crown diameter;
- flowering time;
- ripening period of fruits;
- taste of drupes;
- resistance to temperature extremes;
- habitat;
- ways of leaving.
In light of these principles, we will consider popular varieties that can be grown in your own summer cottage.
Semyon
An amazing tree with a compact but dense oval-shaped crown, can delight its fans with juicy fruits during the autumn harvest. We are talking about a late-ripening type of dogwood - Semyon, the description of which we will start from its merits.
The tree miraculously tolerates winter cold and summer drought periods.It is sufficiently resistant to diseases and pests. The variety was developed in Crimea in the last century. Dogwood fruits are pear-shaped, weighing about 8 g. They are colored dark red with a glossy dense skin. The pulp of the drupe is dense. The taste is sweet and sour with a typical aroma. The pear-shaped variety of dogwood ripens at the end of August, after which it is widely used for canning, making jam and various drinks.
After the first frost, the fruits acquire a special flavor. Therefore, some gardeners deliberately do not pick fruits from the tree, waiting for the cold weather.
Glowworm
An adult tree of this species produces approximately 50 kg of fruit per season. They taste sweet and sour with a barely perceptible astringency inherent in the Kizilov family. The drupes are shaped like miniature pears that weigh about 8 grams. The outer rind is dark cherry colored. And the pulp, of medium density, is distinguished by unprecedented juiciness. Fruits ripen in early September and do not crumble until spring.
Cornel Firefly is a frost-resistant plant that can withstand temperatures as low as -30 ° C. It has a pretty crown of a pyramidal structure, consisting of many glossy leaves. Blooms in early spring with bright buds exuding a pleasant aroma.
Lukyanovsky
Shrubs of this variety are distinguished by high productivity, frost and summer drought resistance. The plant forms a compact, round crown that blends harmoniously with other garden trees. Cornelian variety Lukyanovskiy has pear-shaped fruits. Some of them resemble miniature bottles of the same size. The outer skin of the berries is dark red in color, and when they reach full ripeness, they become almost black.
Amber
This amazing shrub was bred in 1982. It is a fruiting plant with a pyramidal crown, on which bright yellow berries appear every year. When they reach full maturity, they become almost transparent. And even the bone is visible in the sun.
The description of amber dogwood is worthy of special attention, because amazing desserts are obtained from this variety. Delicate yellow pulp, exuding a tart aroma, will appeal to even the most implacable gourmets.
Helena
The plant was bred for residents of northern latitudes, where winter frosts reach 35 degrees. The dogwood variety Elena was obtained by crossing two species: Vydubitsky and Starokievsky in 1975. Fruit ripening occurs in August. Up to 40 kg of berries are harvested from one adult tree per season. They are usually cupped, deep red in color with a shiny crust.
The dense pulp wonderfully lags behind the stone, which is especially important when harvesting the fruit for the winter.
Elegant
The variety is presented in the form of a tree that can grow up to 2 m in height. It has a sparse cupped crown. Its width can reach 2.5 m. That is why the variety was named Elegant dogwood. The description of the fruit of the plant leaves observers in awe. After all, berries appear before them, resembling miniature bottles with a narrowed neck. The berries are evenly distributed throughout the tree, which is also admirable. When ripe, they turn dark cherry, almost black.
Although dogwood tolerates winters well, it should be remembered that frosts below 30 degrees can damage young shoots of the bush. In such areas, the plant needs additional shelter.
Tender
An elegant shrub with a thin oval-pyramidal crown grows up to 2 meters. It can become a real decoration of a summer cottage. Dogwood Tender is distinguished by yellow berries that look like bottles. The glossy skin of the fruit is very thin. Sometimes it shines through so that a fusiform bone is visible. Ripening occurs in the last week of August.This fragrant yellow dogwood fruit contains many valuable health-promoting elements. During heat treatment, the berries retain their beneficial properties.
Coral
A perennial tree can grow up to 3 meters if it is not cut off in time. Dogwood Coral begins to bear fruit for 3 years after planting in a permanent place. He has not ceased to delight his fans with berries for 50 years. Culinary experts from Caucasian countries add fruit to meat dishes, salads and pilaf... To the taste, the coral burshtin dogwood is somewhat reminiscent of a sweet cherry that has not yet ripened. When berries appear on the tree, it seems as if someone has scattered coral beads against the background of lush greenery. A truly wonderful sight.
Exotic
The plant was obtained as a result of painstaking work of breeders. A detailed description of the Exotic dogwood variety makes it possible to imagine this exquisite shrub. The fruits ripen on it at the end of August, which makes it possible to nourish the soul with them before the onset of winter. The berries of the plant resemble miniature bowling pins of almost the same size. At first, they are painted red-green, and when fully ripe, they acquire a dark red uniform color. The pulp of such a dogwood is sweet and sour and juicy. It has a delicate aroma.
Builda
A small compact tree with a dense oval crown can not only decorate the garden, but also bring great benefits to its owners. A simple description of the Bild dogwood variety will help you fall in love with its fruits. They are all the same size, as if someone had sat and cut them out. The original ribbed pear shape is admirable. Lovers of miniatures may envy such a work of art. The dense, but juicy pulp has a sweet and sour taste. Easily detaches from the fusiform bone. Ripening occurs at the end of August, but the berries can remain on the tree until late autumn. So fans of dogwood always have on hand a set of fresh vitamins.
Vladimirsky
The plant is famous for its large black-red berries and high yield. From a 20-year-old tree, you can harvest up to 60 kg of fruit. Kizil Vladimirsky was obtained as a result of selection of several varieties. Therefore, its fruits are especially interesting for gardeners. All the same size, shine in the sun, brightly colored, sweet in taste. What else is needed for complete happiness? In addition, they ripen at the end of summer, supplementing the arsenal of vitamins, which it is important to stock up on for the winter.
Vydubitsky
One of the most stable varieties, bearing fruit every year, is Vydubitsky dogwood. Up to 60 kg of berries are harvested from one tree. In appearance, they resemble small pears... Painted in dark red tones. Fruit taste - sweet and sour with notes of specific astringency. Ripe harvest is harvested in the second half of September.
Seaside
A winter-hardy tree that miraculously tolerates mid-latitude winters, every year it gives its owners delicious fruits. Cornelian Primorsky is considered a mid-season variety, since the berries can be eaten at the end of July. They are usually the same size and ripen almost at the same time. First, the fruits are colored deep red. And over time they become almost black, which is the highlight of this variety.
Mosfir
Some species of dogwood are grown in small quantities at experimental stations. One of them is the dogwood Mosfir. It is a spreading tree up to 3 meters high. It bears pear-shaped fruits of dark red color. Ripening occurs in mid-August, so the berries are actively used for canning.