Cornus

( KOR - nus )

At-A-Glance Information

This group of plants commonly referred to as 'Dogwoods' includes a wide array of deciduous, evergreen, and perennial understory shrubs and trees. Most need full sun to light shade. The berries on these plants attract a wide variety of animals, and all provide beautiful foliage. Leaves on many species change color in the fall, and many have beautiful winter bark. Dogwoods can provide color throughout every season, as illustrated below. They are typically used as specimen trees, in shrub or mixed borders, for erosion control along waterways, and to attract wildlife into the garden.

Spring

Plants form white bracted flowers on bare branches in springtime.

Summer

Flowers remain on shrubs and trees into summer, when leaves are most present.

Fall

Leaves turn yellow, red, or purple in fall.

Winter

Some dogwoods have leafless, bright-red stems that make a statement.

Cornus Species and Varietals

The genus Cornus has around 30-60 species of shrubs, groundcovers and small trees, and is included in the family Cornaceae. The genus name is most likely derived from the Latin word for horn (cornu), referring to the hard, dense wood that the tree produces. Fun fact: the Dogwood flower is the State flower of North Carolina. The best growing zones for Cornus vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Cornus alba (Tatarian Dogwood, Siberian Dogwood, Red-Barked Dogwood)
This deciduous shrub grows best in USDA hardiness zones 2-8 or Sunset growing zones A2, A3, 1-9 and 14-24. The species is native to Siberia, northern China and Korea. In cold-winter areas, red twigs are colorful against snowy backdrops. These plants form a thicket of upright stems up to 10 feet tall. Blooms in spring with small, creamy white, fragrant flowers with deep green leaves. Blue-white fruits follow blooms, Should be cut back in late dormant season to force new growth. These plants are considered potentially invasive in North America and Europe.

'Elegantissima'
Showy green and white leaves on red stems.

'Ivory Halo'
Compact grower, 3-6 feet tall and wide. Red stems and white-edged green leaves.

'Sibirica' (Siberian Dogwood)
7 feet tall and 5 feet wide, with coral-colored branches.

Cornus canadensis (Bunchberry, Canadian Dwarf Cornel, Bunchberry Dogwood, Creeping Dogwood)
This is a perennial variety that is grown as a groundcover, and grows best in USDA hardiness zones 2-6 or Sunset growing zones A1-A3 and 1-7. The species is native to northern California and Alaska. Deep green leaves turn yellow and drop in the winter; flower bracts are pure white. Shiny red fruits follow blooms in late summer. Does best in shade with moist acidic soil containing generous amounts of organic matter. Great for planting alongside Rhododendrons, ferns, Trilliums, and shade-loving species of Lily.

Cornus controversa (Giant Dogwood, Wedding Cake Tree)
This is a deciduous tree that grows in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 4-9, 14, 18, and 19. Grows to reach 40-60 feet tall and just as wide, with a picturesque habit. Dark green leaves with silver undersides glow red in the fall. Abundance of small white flowers bloom in late summer, and are followed by shiny dark fruits. Varieties include 'June Snow' (with large flower clusters and mottled orange, red, and purple fall foliage) and 'Variegata' (white-edged foliage). This species has invasive potential in New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York.

Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood, Eastern Dogwood)
Deciduous tree that grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 2b-9 and 14-16. Trees commonly reach about 20-30 feet tall at maturity, with a low-branching habit. Flowers have white bracts, though varieties offer pink bracts as well. Flowers almost cover the tree in the springtime before leaves expand. Scarlet fruit then lasts until wintertime. Varieties of this species are outlined below.

'Cherokee Daybreak'
Green leaves with cream variegation that turn pink and red in the fall. White bracts.

'Cherokee Princess'
Very heavy display of white bracts and blossoms.

'Cloud Nine'
Blooms early and heavily; white bracts. Can tolerate a wider range of temperatures than most others.

'Prairie Pink'
Soft pink bracts, and a variety that is well-adapted to the West, east of the Rocky Mountains.

'Rubra'
Pink or rose bracts.

'Welchii' (Tricolor Dogwood)
Leaves are variegated with cream, pink, rose, and green in spring and summer. Rose to red leaves in fall. Best with shade.

Cornus spp. Hybrids (Hybrid Cornus, Hybrid Dogwood)
This group forms deciduous trees that grow best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 and Sunset growing zones 3-9 and 14-20. These hybrids were bred to be disease-resistant and for attractive fall color. Most bloom in the middle of spring and have white-bracted flowers.

'Aurora'
With large, white blooms to 15-25 feet tall.

'Constellation'
Vigorous grower with white blooms and red-burgundy foliage. No messy fruit.

'Eddie's White Wonder'
To 40 feet tall with clusters of white flowers with white bracts.

'Starlight'
This tree reaches 30 feet tall and 23 feet wide, with an oval crown. White flowers.

Cornus kousa (Kousa Dogwood)
Deciduous shrub or tree, grows best in zones 2-9 and 14-17. Native to Japan and Korea, reaches 20 feet tall and wide. Dense grower, with a spreading habit and delicate limb structure. Green leaves; flowers show above leaves in spring and summer. Creamy white, long bracts with pink edges. Fruits resembling raspberries appear after blooms. This species is considered an emerging invasive in the northeastern United States.

'Autumn Rose'
Grows to 20 feet tall, 25 feet wide. Leaves are light green, and turn red in fall.

'Gold Star'
Grows to 12 feet tall, yellow centered green leaves.

'Heart Throb'
Deep red to rose-pink large flowers, long bloom period.

'National'
25-30 feet tall, 12-15 feet wide. Bright red fall color, and early blooming period.

'Satomi'
20 feet tall and wide, and rose-red bracts.

'Wolf Eyes'
Grey-green foliage edged with white, turns pinkish-red in fall.

Cornus nuttallii (Pacific Dogwood, Western Dogwood, Mountain Dogwood)
Deciduous tree, grows best in zones 3b-9 and 14-20. Native to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. Gets 50 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Gray horizontal branching habit, White or slightly pink bracts. Leaves turn yellow, red, and pink in fall, and has red fruits. Popular varieties include 'Starlight' (pictured right), 'Colrigo Giant', 'Goldspot', and 'Venus'.

Cornus sericea (Cornus stolonifera) (Redtwig Dogwood, Red-Osier Dogwood)
This species forms a deciduous shrub, grown for brilliant red fall foliage and winter twigs. Grows best in zones A1-A3, 1-9 and 14-21. Native to moist areas in Northern California and Alaska. Multi-stemmed shrub up to 7-9 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Shade tolerant. Redtwig Dogwood is considered invasive in Canada and the eastern United States.

'Arctic Fire'
Deep red twigs, compact 3-4 foot tall plant.

'Arctic Sun'
Yellow stems with red tips; 3-4 feet tall.

'Baileyi'
Grows 6-8 feet tall with bright red twigs.

'Flaviramea'
(Yellowtwig Dogwood)
Yellow twigs and branches.

'Hedgerow's Gold'
Foliage is variegated green and gold, with red stems.

'Silver and Gold'
Yellow branches and cream-edged green leaves.

Caring for Cornus

Because Dogwoods are commonly found in protected understory settings, they can be a bit difficult to grow in formal gardens. Plant bare root specimens in either fall or spring, and stake them to provide support as they grow into mature trees. If there are rabbits in the yard, wrap the bottom of trees to protect them. They prefer to be planted in full sun to partial shade in well-draining soil amended with plenty of organic matter with a pH of between 5.5 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral). Cover the planting area with a thick layer of mulch to protect roots and retain moisture. Newly planted Dogwoods enjoy being watered regularly, and mature trees prefer a deep soaking at least once a month during the warmer periods of the year.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Prune to remove any damaged, diseased, or crossing branches. Most Cornus varieties bloom on old wood; these plants should be pruned in summertime after they flower. Varieties that bloom on new wood should be pruned in late winter or early spring. Dogwoods are beautiful trees and shrubs with a pleasing branching habit, and when left to their own devices will form wonderful, attractive accent trees or shrubs. Cornus can live for between 20 and 120 years in the garden if cared for properly before needing to be replaced.

Harvesting Cornus
Dogwood trees produce drupe fruits that are edible; the flesh tastes like a combination between pumpkin, mango and and persimmon, and can also be a bit tart. They contain 1 or 2 hard pits. The best species to cultivate for their fruits are Cornus kousa and Cornus mas. Individual trees will typically begin producing fruit when they reach 5-7 years of age. The fruits are harvested in fall (September and October) when they have turned red and begun to soften. Once seeds and skin have been removed, they can be eaten raw, used in jellies and jams, baked into breads and cakes, fermented to make wine or mead, or added to frozen yogurt or ice cream.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Cornus can be propagated either by using hardwood cuttings taken in wintertime or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. Some sterile cultivars do not produce viable seed or much fruit (if any); these will have to be propagated via cutting. To propagate your Dogwood, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Cornus by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, tape, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In wintertime (after all leaves have fallen off the tree), choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a branch about the diameter of a standard pencil. Keep track of which end is the 'bottom' of the cutting (which end is closer to the base of the plant) by taping around it. When you're ready to plant them, make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the base end of the stem (the side with the tape) in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot, pushing it halfway into the soil medium. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. When you notice new growth on your propagated cuttings, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can pot it up or transplant it to its new home in your garden.

Propagating Cornus by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant, especially if you are working with a hybrid variety. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds in fall. The fruits on Cornus plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they are ripe (they'll be a reddish color and softened), harvest them. There is one (sometimes two) seed contained in each fruit. Cut the fruit off of the plant, and remove the seed from inside, washing off any remaining fruit. Harvest as many as you can, and place them in an air tight container in the refrigerator. They can be stored for long amounts of time and still be viable, as long as they are kept cool and in a dark place.
Soak your seeds in room-temperature water for between 30 and 45 hours. During this time, you might notice that some seeds float and others sink. The seeds that float are not viable; you can remove them from the bowl and toss them in the trash. Cornus seeds need to be cold-stratified before they can be germinated. Place your seeds in a damp container in the refrigerator for 120 days, and then remove them. Ensure that your seeds stay in a damp, but not wet, environment this whole time.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes between 4 and 18 months from sowing (this depends on a few factors, including which species is being grown). Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Dogwood berries vary in shape and color, depending on the species grown.

Each dogwood fruit contains one (sometimes two) tan seed.

Problems and Pests

Certain species of Cornus are considered invasive; see species descriptions for more information. Consult with local authorities before planting. Cornus trees and shrubs can suffer from the following pest and disease issues in the garden: