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Cornus racemosa (Gray Dogwood)

Gray Dogwood, Cornus foemina ssp. racemosa, Cornus paniculata

Cornus racemosa, Gray Dogwood, Cornus foemina ssp. racemosa, Cornus paniculata, Deciduous Shrubs, Foliage, Fall color, Winter color, shrub with berries, Flowering tree, White Berries
Cornus racemosa, Gray Dogwood, Cornus foemina ssp. racemosa, Cornus paniculata, Deciduous Shrubs, Foliage, Fall color, Winter color, shrub with berries, Flowering tree, White Berries
Cornus racemosa, Gray Dogwood, Cornus foemina ssp. racemosa, Cornus paniculata, Deciduous Shrubs, Foliage, Fall color, Winter color, shrub with berries, Flowering tree, White Berries

Tough and adaptable, Cornus racemosa (Gray Dogwood) is a thicket-forming, deciduous shrub with excellent blue-green foliage of elliptic to lance-shaped leaves up to 4 in. long (10 cm). In late spring to early summer, small creamy-white flowers appear in flattened clusters, providing a great floral show. They are borne atop conspicuously red stems and attract bees and butterflies. They are followed by white berries, which persist into fall unless devoured by birds and other wildlife. Their bright red fruit stalks persist after the berries are gone and are quite ornamental. The foliage turns deep reddish purple in the fall. Resistant to most diseases and insects, Gray Dogwood can be used in erosion control, as a filler in the shrub border, or left alone to spread in naturalized areas.

  • Grows up to 10-15 ft. tall and wide (300-450 cm). It will spread to form large colonies if suckers are not removed.
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade in average, dry to moist, well-drained soils. Tolerant of heavy shade. Gray Dogwood is tolerant of dry soils and wet soils.
  • Deer resistant.
  • A great choice for shrub borders, rain gardens, along streams or ponds, and native plant gardens. It could be used as a screen or on steep slopes.
  • Dogwoods are susceptible to a range of pests and diseases.
  • Sow seeds immediately after collection or scarify and stratify and sow the following spring. This plant will root from softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer and hardwood cuttings in winter.
  • Native to Eastern North America.
  • Find where this species is invasive in the United States.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Cornaceae
Genus Cornus
Common names Gray Dogwood, Dogwood
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 10' - 15'
(3m - 4.6m)
Spread 10' - 15'
(3m - 4.6m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, North Dakota, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Nebraska, Michigan, North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, South Carolina, Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas
Tolerance Deer, Dry Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Cornus alternifolia Golden Shadows® (Pagoda Dogwood)
Cornus sanguinea ‘Winter Flame’ (Bloodtwig Dogwood)
Cornus sanguinea Arctic Sun® (Bloodtwig Dogwood)
Cornus sericea Arctic Fire® Red (Redtwig Dogwood)
Cornus florida ‘Appalachian Spring’ (Flowering Dogwood)
Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Sunset’ (Flowering Dogwood)

Recommended Companion Plants

Rhus copallinum (Winged Sumac)
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)
Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth Aster)
Iris virginica (Southern Blue Flag)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Roots of Life: Exploring the Diverse World of Trees
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Small Trees, Big Impact: Maximize Your Garden’s Potential
Spectacular Trees for Vibrant Fall Colors: A Gardener’s Guide
Pure White Flowers for a Touch of Elegance in Your Garden
24 Types of Dogwood Trees and Shrubs
Dogwood Tree Facts You May Not Know
35 Flowering Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun
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Flowering Dogwood – Problems and Alternatives
Cornus (Dogwood) – What Is Wrong With My Tree?
Cornus (Dogwood) – Pests and Diseases to Watch Out For
Cornus (Dogwood)
Dogwood Trees: Add Vibrant Beauty to Your Landscape
Trees with Four Seasons of Interest for Your Garden
Create a Garden with Great Winter Interest
Attractive Shrubs and Trees with White Fruits and Berries
Shrubs and Trees with Colorful and Distinctive Twigs in Winter
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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Cornaceae
Genus Cornus
Common names Gray Dogwood, Dogwood
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 10' - 15'
(3m - 4.6m)
Spread 10' - 15'
(3m - 4.6m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, North Dakota, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Nebraska, Michigan, North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, South Carolina, Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas
Tolerance Deer, Dry Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Cornus (Dogwood)
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Cornus (Dogwood)
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