Cornus
( KOR - nus )
At-A-Glance InformationThis 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 for your yard.
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SpringPacific dogwood species have gleaming white bracts on bare branches, and flowering dogwoods have beautiful, creamy bracts.
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SummerKousa dogwoods have white or pink bracts, and Bunchberry is dotted in white bracts, as well.
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FallKousa dogwood leaves turn yellow or red, and there are other varieties that have red-purple leaves in fall.
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WinterRedtwig dogwoods have leafless, bright-red stems that streak the landscape with color.
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dogwood 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)
This deciduous shrub grows best in zones A2, A3, 1-9 and 14-24. Native to Siberia, northern China and Korea. In cold-winter areas, red twigs are colorful against snowy backdrops. Produces 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.
Cornus canadensis (Bunchberry) This is a perennial variety that is grown as a groundcover, and grows best in zones A1-A3 and 1-7, but can be grown (with difficulty in most cases) in zones 8, 9, and 14-16. Native to Northern California and Alaska. Deep green leaves turn yellow and drop in the winter, bracts are pure white. Shiny red fruits follow flowers in late summer. Does best in shade with moist acidic soil containing generous amounts of organic matter. Great for planting with rhododendrons, ferns, trilliums, and lilies. |
Cornus controversa (Giant Dogwood) This is a deciduous tree that grows in zones 4-9, 14, 18, and 19. Grows to be 40-60 feet tall and 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). |
Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood, Eastern Dogwood)
Deciduous tree that grows best in zones 2b-9 and 14-16. Commonly reaches about 20-30 feet tall, with a low-branching habit. 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.
Deciduous tree that grows best in zones 2b-9 and 14-16. Commonly reaches about 20-30 feet tall, with a low-branching habit. 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. |
'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. |
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.
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.
Cornus nuttallii (Pacific Dogwood, Western 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)
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. Varieties outlined below.
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. Varieties outlined below.
Cornus Stellar Series (Cornus rutgersensis) (Stellar Dogwoods) Deciduous trees that grow best in zones 3-9 and 14-17. They are disease-resistant, and grow to be 20 feet tall and 25-30 feet wide. Midspring blooms and brilliant autumn color. Varieties include 'Celesital (with broad white bracts), 'Constellation' (narrow white star-like bracts), and 'Stellar Pink' with pink bracts (pictured). |
Caring for and pruning Dogwood Trees and shrubs
Because Dogwoods are commonly found in understory forested settings, they can be a bit difficult to grow in formal gardens. Plant bare root specimens in either fall or spring, and stake to provide support as it grows into a mature tree. If you have rabbits in your yard, wrap the bottom of the tree in tree guard to protect it. They prefer to be planted in full sun to partial shade in well-draining soil amended with plenty of organic matter. They enjoy a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Cover the planting area with a thick layer of mulch to protect roots and retain moisture. New Dogwoods enjoy being watered regularly, and older trees prefer a deep soaking at least once a month during the warmer periods of the year. They can receive garden water throughout the rest of the year. In late fall or winter, prune your Dogwood to improve its structure. Dogwoods are beautiful trees with a pleasing branching habit, and when left to their own devices will form wonderful, attractive accent trees or shrubs.
Harvesting Dogwood Fruit
Dogwood fruit is edible; the flesh of the fruit tastes like a combination between pumpkin, mango and and persimmon. Harvest fruits in fall, when they have turned red and begun to soften. The fruit, once seeds and skin have been removed, 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.
Harvesting Dogwood Fruit
Dogwood fruit is edible; the flesh of the fruit tastes like a combination between pumpkin, mango and and persimmon. Harvest fruits in fall, when they have turned red and begun to soften. The fruit, once seeds and skin have been removed, 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.
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. To propagate your Dogwood, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Cornus by Cutting
Propagating Cornus by Seed
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. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
- 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. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- 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 be a bit softened), you can harvest the seed(s) inside. There is one or two seeds contained in each fruit, depending on the variety of Dogwood grown. 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.
Problems and Pests
Cornus shrubs and trees are rarely bothered by pests and are considered to be relatively disease-resistant.
Gallery
Videos
How to prune Cornus to encourage new growth to pop.
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How to identify Cornus trees.
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How to grow and care for Dogwood trees and shrubs.
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An overview of some of the best varieties of Cornus.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 262 - 264 Cornus (Dogwood)
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