This small Japanese tree is the Asian counterpart of the European Cornus mas. A clear difference is that the officinalis is a little coarser in all its elements and appears more like a tree than a bush. In the Netherlands, this type is called gele kornoelje. It gained this name because of the beautiful yellow bloom in February - March, with golden-yellow flowers in close-packed, bulbous screens of 10-12 mm.

Tree Nursery Udenhout was the first to import the ‘Robin’s Pride’ selection to the Netherlands. This selection grows in a wide, upright pyramid and has a better continuous leader, which means it is very suitable for use as a tree. The Cornus officinalis ‘Robin’s Pride’ grows up to 6-7 m. The colour of the bark varies from grey to orange and brown. It flakes far more than the Cornus mas. The leaves are oval and slightly curled, turning a marvellous orange-reddish brown in autumn.

The fruits are 15 mm long and shiny scarlet. The fruits are edible, although they are a little sour, and they are often used to make jam. The Cornus officinalis ‘Robin’s Pride’ is also often cultivated for medicinal use. The active substances of the fruit serve to strengthen the liver and kidneys.

This tree is very suitable for narrow and small streets and green areas. It does not have any special soil requirements.

The early bloom, berries, autumn colouration and the irregular flaking bark provide the Cornus officinalis 'Robin's Pride' with decorative value in any season.