I've just been admiring this in my garden. It is rare to see it
mentioned in specialist fora, let alone pop up in a generalist
gardening newsgroup such as here. Stewart was on the right track the
first time with his mention of Cornus because it is indeed Cornus
capitata. The leaf shape in the pics might be a bit misleading, but
they are on a more mature tree and tend to have less attenuated tips
than those of younger specimens. C. capitata is a small, evergreen
tree for milder regions, reaching maybe 5 - 6m. in this country. It
is sometimes known as the Himalayan Strawberry Tree on account of its
dull, but prominent red fruits carried in autumn. Mine was planted as
a 25cms. seedling in 2000 and is now just over 4.5m high with a
similar spread. It is no slouch with plenty of mositure and seems to
revel in my thin, acid soil overlying mudstone.
The leaves are smooth surfaced, softly leathery, dull green with paler
veins and slightly glaucous undersides. During June it produces
congested, rounded heads (capitula) of greenish-yellow flowers that
are surrounded with 4 large showy bracts, which last for several
weeks. Initially, the bracts are pale, almost buttery cream
(enthusiastically described as yellow by some) ageing to soft white,
before taking on very strong pink hues prior to falling. This is mine
at the moment:http:
//tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=AJ3C9iBDKTntcKGjlKxc5w%3D%3D
Later the flower heads will develop into the rounded, strawberry-like
fruits shown in the op's pic. Unfortunately the fruits are decidedly
unpalatable, leaving an astringent and foetid after-taste and can
cause slight nausea. I've tried them and don't recommend you to do
the same! Young plants cannot cope with frequent, prolonged frosts
and need protection away from sheltered sites in southern counties.
Despite the rather soft texture of the leaves, this Cornus does appear
to cope with winter storms quite well and mine is regularly lashed by
bitter winds coming up the valley off the sea every year.
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