Do you know that the little bunchberry or dwarf that comes from our northern woods is closely related to the flowering dogwood?
Do you know, too, that the cornelian cherry and the red osier dogwood are also related?
These and other true dogwoods form an outstanding group of plants that have many important uses in gardens throughout this country and Canada.
Bunch-Berry Forms
Except for the bunch-berry, which forms a most effective ground cover in shady places, especially when its bright red berries ripen in the fall, dogwoods of the genus Cornus are divided into two groups: Trees and Shrubs.
As trees, they are all small growing, except for the little-known:
- Giant dogwood (Cornus controvesra), which reaches 60′ feet
- The Pacific dogwood (Cornus Nutall) is even taller when mature
Because of their compact forms, they are particularly desirable for small gardens and fit nicely under larger trees.
Among the shrubs, the gray dogwood reaches 15′ feet, but for the most part, they are large-scale shrubs, growing to 8′ or 10′ feet.
With pruning, they may be kept at desired heights so that the uses of the shrub members of the tribe are both extensive and versatile.
Dogwood Characteristics
Attractive Simple Leaves
Dogwoods have attractive, simple leaves troubled by relatively few insects and diseases.
In the case of most species, the foliage turns brilliant red in the fall, with the flowering dogwood taking the lead.
They vary in habit, and the shrubs are noted for the bright colors of the twigs, particularly conspicuous in the winter.
Furthermore, all produce berries, some red, some blue or black, and others white, but in all cases, these fruits are ornamental and much sought by the birds.
Well-Known Flowering Dogwood
The virtues of the flowering dogwood (Cornus Florida) are so well known that they hardly need to be repeated.
This is perhaps the best-loved of all small-flowering trees, with its distinctive horizontal habit noticeable in summer and winter.
The so-called white “flowers” consist of four notched bracts surrounding the small yellow flowers in the center.
Growing well in the shade, it flowers more profusely if plants receive sun for several hours a day.
The red or pink-flowering dogwood’s popular variety is equally charming, especially when both are planted together for contrast.
Lovely Japanese Dogwood
To extend the dogwood season, you may use the lovely Japanese dogwood (Cornus kousa), which is lower growing and flowers in early summer for several weeks.
It has pointed bracts and lustrous leaves, which become brightly colored in the fall. The red fruits look like raspberries.
Like flowering dogwood, the uses of Japanese dogwood are extensive. Still, it should be placed where one can look down upon the horizontal branches to benefit from its great beauty because it flowers with its foliage.
Chinese Dogwood
Such positions may be at the base of a hill, at the lower end of a terrace, or near the house where one can look out upon it from porches or upper-story windows.
There is a variety called the Chinese dogwood (Cornus kousa Chinensis), which has longer bracts.
Pacific Dogwood: The Noblest Of All
The dogwood of the West Coast (British Columbia to California) is the Pacific dogwood (Cornus Nutall), a much taller growing species with flowers that have 4 to 6 white bracts, larger than those of its eastern cousin.
One of the most handsome of North American flowering trees, it is of pyramidal habit, though its branches have the characteristic horizontal habit.
Because it requires a mild, moist climate, it is not successful in the cast. Its large size enables the Pacific dogwood to be planted wherever a showy tree, growing to 75′ feet, is desired.
Giant Dogwood
The giant dogwood (Cornus controversa), from China and Japan, is one of the little-known tree dogwoods that grows to 50′ or 60′ feet.
It, too, has the picturesque horizontal habit of the group. Its small white flowers are borne in clusters like most viburnums or the shrub dogwoods.
Pagoda Dogwood: Alternate-Leaved Type
Other dogwoods have opposite leaves, but this is alternate-leaved, like the alternate-leaved or pagoda dogwood (Cornus allernifolio), an American species whose branches form flat, horizontal tiers, hence the name pagoda dogwood.
It has panicles of creamy white flowers in the spring and blue-black fruits in the late summer.
Preferring a damp location and shade, it may be planted in such locations among other trees or shrubs. It makes an interesting specimen, too, because of its fascinating branching character.
Cornelian Cherry
Often, it is difficult to tell whether the cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) is a tree or a shrub.
When great and old, it looks like a tree, especially if trained with a single trunk, but when young and much branched, as it usually appears, it classifies as a shrub.
In either case, it is one of the more worthwhile members of the clan because it is covered with numerous small clusters of bright yellow flowers in the earliest spring, even before the crocuses expand their cups to the warm sun.
Growing to about 20′ feet, it is hardier than the others described and has an upright, though spreading habit.
In late summer, its fruit turns a beautiful cornelian-red color, but they are not overly conspicuous because they are covered by dense foliage.
The cornelian cherry is unrivaled for the early spring effect, flowering weeks before forsythia. It does well in the shade and is not fussy about soil.
Japanese Cornel
A similar plant is a Japanese corner, but it is considered better because of its appealing, exfoliating reddish-red bark.
Growing taller, it is erect, with a spreading crown, and like its American counterpart, it may be used as a specimen plant wherever its size permits. For the best effect, place it against a background of evergreens.
Compared to the bract-producing or large flowering tree dogwoods, the shrub dogwoods lack grace, delicacy, and charm.
Most of all, they are not as showy when in bloom, though their fruits and fall coloring are equally decorative, if not more so in some ways.
The strength of the shrub dogwoods rests in their vigor, varying sizes, handsome leaves, colorful twigs, and adaptability to many situations.
Red-Osier Dogwood
Of these, the red-osier dogwood is highly deserving of praise. Extremely hardy, growing into northern Canada, it is most noted for the bright red of its twigs, especially pronounced in winter when the leaves are gone.
Again the red branches stand out against the white snow. To keep branches bright and red, it is necessary to cut the old growth directly to the ground periodically because the young stems are more vivid.
Plants grow to 7′ feet in any kind of soil, although if you have a moist or wet spot, this dogwood will grow there contentedly.
Another feature of red-osier is that it spreads by stolons or underground branches, so an important use is to hack steep banks or slopes. While berries are highly attractive.
Other Varieties Of Dogwoods
Yellow-Twig Dogwood
A notable variety is a yellow-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea flaviramea), similar in every respect except that its brandies are a glowing golden yellow. Again the young growth is more highly colored than the mature branches.
The two are placed together to create a striking contrast, and if set against evergreens, you will get a picture that will be a continuous source of enjoyment and comment all winter long.
Green-Twig Dogwood
You might even add green-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea nitida), a variety with green twigs.
Siberian: Coral Dogwood
Other shrub dogwoods with red twigs, such as the Siberian or coral dogwood (Cornus alba sibirica).
Of a broad, spreading habit, it loses the typical white flower clusters and bluish-white fruits. Although it also suckers, it does not spread as quickly as the red-osier.
Tatarian Dogwoods
Also extremely hardy, plant it where winter color is desired or to fill the need for a tall, eight to 10-foot shrub. The species itself, Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba), has duller red branches.
Blood-Twig Dogwood
Another dogwood with red hark is the blood-twig dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), which snores more upright than the Siberian dogwood and with a darker, duller red color.
White flowers are followed by handsome blackberries on vigorous plants that reach 12′ feet.
An interesting variation of this species is the variety that has bright green branches and fruits, Cornus sericea viridissima.
Native Silky Dogwood
Also similar to Siberian dogwood is the native silky dogwood (Cornus amomum). It is also called:
- Blue-berried dogwood
- Red-brush
- Swamp dogwood
- Squaw-bush
Its twigs are purplish or purple-real, not as bright as those of others.
A large-scale shrub does best in moist or wet locations with plenty of room to spread.
Native-Gray Dogwood
The native gray dogwood (Cornus racemosa), with gray twigs that turn reddish purple in the winter, is one of the most commonly used shrub dogwoods.
Varying in height from 3′ to 15′ feet, it has long, narrow leaves, which taper to a neat point.
Gray Dopy Pod
Gray dopy pod is a very vigorous shrub that sprouts freely from the base and makes an excellent hedge plant, adapting itself to shearing as well.
The birds quickly devour the white berries. Give it partial shade and moist soil, although it is adaptable to other situations.
Other Kinds Of Dogwoods
Some little-known kinds should be tried by gardeners who grow the others.
Little-Leaf Dogwood
One of these, the little-leaf dogwood (Cornus paucinervis) is a Chinese species, 6′ to 8′ feet, with narrowly oval leaves that are more or less persistent through the winter. It has clusters of small white flowers and black fruits.
Round-Leaf Dogwood
The round-leaf dogwood (Cornus rugosa) is green or purple twigged, found from Nova Scotia to Virginia and North Dakota.
Its leaves are more circular than most species, and its branches, green in summer and blotched purple when young, become purplish as they age.
Silky Dogwood: Tree-Like Habit
Like silky dogwood, it has an upright, tree-like habit. Light blue berries follow the usual white flower heads.
Mention has been made of the bunch-berry or dwarf cornel, but it should be emphasized that it is a superb little herbaceous plant for ground cover use.
This elfin denizen, found in the deep woods from coast to coast, demands humusy soil and shade.
Given these, it will spread to form dense, green mats, enlivened by white, four-bracted, dogwood “flowers” in the spring and lively red berry clusters in the fall.
At that time, it is a common sight to find plants with both flowers and fruits.
Planted under pines, azaleas, rhododendrons, and similar plants, it will eventually take over to form a smooth, rolling carpet. Some gardeners find it a slow plant to establish in gardens.
Origins Of Dagwood’s Name
Have you ever wondered how dogwood got its name?
It was derived from the English practice of washing many dogs with a decoction derived from the bark of the blood-twig dogwood.
44659 by George Taloumis