Dogwood

Dogwood (Cornus spp.)

Size: 8′ tall with 6-8′ spread

Flowering: Throughout Summer

Fruiting: June – September

Birds: fall migrants, especially thrasher, catbird, sparrows, and robin

Dogwoods got their name from the Middle Ages when the wood was used as skewers or “dogs.” But, today these plants are widely used in landscapes for their beautiful flowers, showy fruit, winter color and attractive foliage. Birds relish the fruit and often eat every last one off a plant as soon as they’re ripe. There are 17 species of dogwood native to North America and they range in size from small to large shrubs and small trees. Dogwood berries are eaten by over 98 species of birds including: bluebirds, brown thrashers, cardinals, cedar waxwings, flickers, gray catbird, mockingbirds, robins, song sparrows, thrushes, vireos and even woodpeckers.

 

Red Twigged Dogwood (Cornus baileyi) 6-8′ tall/5-6′ wide. This is a very showy plant in winter, with bright red canes that provide beautiful color against white snow. It has clusters of porcelain blue fruit that ripen in mid summer and are readily sought after and eaten by birds. This dogwood has green foliage and is shade tolerant and very adaptable. It does well in full sun to part shade and is tolerant of most soil types, including very wet and acid soils. Makes a great hedge!

Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) 4-8′ tall/4-6′ wide. The fruit of Gray Dogwood has been described as “candy for birds.” You only see the fruit as it is ripening, then one day it will all be gone with the birds eating every last one. This fast growing shrub produces clusters of white berries on red fruit stalks. While its gray stems may not be as attractive as the red-twigged dogwood in winter, its purple fall foliage is gorgeous. Excellent choice for hedges, background or naturalized plantings. Can tolerate wet conditions very well.

American Hazelnut (Cornus americana) 6-8′ tall/6-8′ wide Commonly known as filberts or hazelnuts, this native shrub produces a tasty, edible nut that is relished by bluejays, bobwhites, grouse, pheasants and turkeys. It forms a rounded shrub with dark-green foliage that turns yellow in the fall. The 1/2-inch nuts are produced in clusters and enclosed in a covering that opens as they ripen. Useful for the shrub border or naturalistic plantings. They tolerate full sun to partial shade and a wide range of soil types, except very wet conditions. Easy to grow.

Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alterifolia) 20′ tall/20′ wide. A beautiful and truly multi-season interest plant with clustered, tiny white flowers appearing in May. In summer, the blue-black fruit on red pedicles held above the layered foliage is an impressive sight. Early purple fall color. Pagoda Dogwood grows slowly at first but becomes moderate with age. The tree grows in sun or shade. The fall color is deep red and the white flowers are produced in clusters in the spring. Bluish-black fruit are produced after the flowers. It requires a moist root zone, and although it grows best in full sun to shade, it is intolerant of hot sunny sites.

Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum) 6-10′ tall/6′ wide. Silky dogwood is a native in low woods, along streams and borders of wetlands over much of the eastern United States. Landscape uses possibly include massing, shrub borders, or naturalizing. Grows in moist and wet soils where many shrubs do not grow well. Displays yellowish-white flowers in June and bluish attractive fruit matures in August or September. Is also an excellent choice to attract wildlife. It tolerates poorly drained soils, and has beneficial uses in hedgerows, windbreaks and for stream bank erosion control.