Alphabetical Plant Listing

Cornus foemina (Swamp Dogwood)

Stiff Dogwood, Swamp Dogwood, Cornus stricta, Swida foemina, Swida stricta


Cornus foemina (Swamp Dogwood) is a deciduous flowering shrub or small tree of rounded habit, noted for its showy flower clusters, dark fruits, and attractive red twigs. Blooming for 2-3 weeks in mid-spring to early summer, small, bright white flowers borne in flat-topped clusters appear at the tips of the branches. Unpleasantly fragrant, they attract long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, and butterflies. The blossoms give way to attractive clusters of bright blue berries in summer and fall, which are greedily devoured by birds and small mammals. The leaves, 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm), are opposite, mostly lance-shaped, and medium to dark green. The summer foliage may turn reddish-purple in fall. The bark of the trunk and larger branches is gray, while the smaller branches are brown and smooth. The young twigs are hairless and red, becoming dark reddish brown with age. Adaptable to sun or shade, Swamp Dogwood is a fine choice for moist woodlands, shrub borders, naturalized areas, and along streams and ponds. It can be found growing in the wild in swamps, streambanks, marshes as well as upland locations.

  • Grows up to 10-25 ft. tall (300-750 cm) and 10-15 ft. wide (300-450 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun to part shade, in fertile, moist to wet, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Prefers wet conditions but will adapt to moist sites. Tolerates close to full shade.
  • No serious pest or disease issues.
  • Propagate by seeds.
  • Native to eastern and southeastern North America.

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Requirements

Hardiness 6 – 10
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Cornus - Dogwoods
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 10' – 25' (3m – 7.5m)
Spread 10' – 15' (3m – 4.5m)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Indiana, Missouri, Northeast, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Patio and Containers, Ponds and Streams
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage

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Melissa McMasters, Flickr, Garmoncheg, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 6 – 10
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Cornus - Dogwoods
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 10' – 25' (3m – 7.5m)
Spread 10' – 15' (3m – 4.5m)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Indiana, Missouri, Northeast, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Patio and Containers, Ponds and Streams
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Cornus - Dogwoods

Guides with Cornus - Dogwoods

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