Elegant cornelian cherry dogwood was selected as a cultivar for its abundant fruit, which are sweeter than is typical of the species and considered an edible fruit crop in Europe where the fruits may be used for preserves or syrups. In other respects the Elegant cultivar is typical of the species -- abundant early spring long-lived yellow flowers, red fruit in summer, vibrant fall color and exfoliating winter bark.

Members of the genus Cornus, commonly known as dogwoods, are welcome in the home garden for their multi-season interest -- be it flowers, fruit, foliage, and/or bark -- and their range of forms from small trees to suckering shrubs. The dominant display, however, varies among the species.

Dogwoods are native to cooler temperate areas of North America and Asia. The genus includes 45-60 species, divided into subgenera about which taxonomists disagree. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection includes almost 100 varieties of dogwood from 20 species (7 of which are native) and over 2,400 plants.