About

Key Facts

Distribution

How To Care

All Species

More Genus

Plant Encyclopedia > Dogwoods

Dogwoods (Cornus)

Flowering dogwoods appear in many 19th-century paintings because of their spreading leaves and attractive flowers (which can appear in shades of red, pink, and white). In spite of these trees' North American origin, one Christian legend states that Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross made of dogwoods, and that they are relatively small trees because God no longer allows them to grow tall enough to be used for crosses.

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Key Facts About Dogwoods

Feedback

Attributes of Dogwoods

Plant Height

3 m

Spread

3 m

Flower Color

White

Red

Pink

Leaf type

Deciduous

Ideal Temperature

0 - 32 ℃

Scientific Classification of Dogwoods

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Dogwoods, hydrangeas, and allies

Family

Dogwood

Genus

Dogwoods

Distribution of Dogwoods

Feedback

Distribution Map of Dogwoods

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

How to Grow and Care for Dogwoods

Feedback

The dogwoods genus, also known as Dogwoods, has a basic care profile that calls for a well-drained, slightly acidic soil, and prefers partial shade to full sun. Water requirements are moderate, but varies across species, and temperatures in the moderate range foster optimal growth. Common challenges include pests like dogwood borers, fungal diseases such as dogwood anthracnose, and environmental sensitivities to scorching in full sun. Seasonally, pruning is best in late winter or early spring; summer demands regular watering; while autumn calls for leaf cleanup to prevent disease spread.

How to Water Dogwoods?

What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Dogwoods?

How to Propagate Dogwoods?

How to Plant Dogwoods?

More Info About Caring for Dogwoods

Exploring the Dogwoods Plants

Feedback

8 most common species：

Flowering dogwood

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is a small North American tree renowned for its wide canopy and plentiful spring blooms. Individual white or pink “flower” is actually a flower head that contains four oval bracts and a cluster of tiny yellow true flowers. Because of its decorative canopy, prolific spring blooming, and attractive red autumn leaves and berries, it is the most popular native tree in US gardens.

Kousa dogwood

The kousa dogwood is known for its ornamental appeal. The showy flowers and bark, as well as the lovely fall foliage, make this vase-shaped tree a great addition to your patio, yard, or lawn. The tree matures to about 9 m high and is often just as wide.

Common dogwood

The common dogwood tree contains some of the toughest wood of any tree. As a result, it is said that the cross used to crucify Jesus Christ was built from this. The pollen in the blossoms of this plant attracts butterflies, and the berries attract birds. It is typically planted as an aesthetic plant and is utilized for borders, hedges, or screens.

Red osier dogwood

Red osier dogwood is a thicket-forming shrub with attractive dark red winter stems. This plant produces yellow flowers in early summer and fruit late in the fall. Over ninety-eight species of birds rely on this plant for food or shelter. Native Americans used red osier dogwood branches to weave baskets.

Cornelian cherry

Cornelian cherry (*Cornus mas*) is a flowering deciduous shrub native to Central Europe, Southern Europe, and Western Asia. While this species' ripe fruit is edible, the unripe fruit has a harsh, astringent taste and should not be consumed. Unlike most other types of wood, the wood from this species is dense enough to sink in water.

Hong kong dogwood

Hong kong dogwood (Cornus hongkongensis) is an evergreen tree that will grow to 15 m tall. It is native to China and has dark green leaves with yellow edges. Leaves change color to reddish purple in fall. Blooms in spring and grows in full sun with moist, well-drained soil.

Siberian dogwood

Siberian dogwood (Cornus alba) is a perennial flowering shrub best known for its red bark that makes a beautiful display when the tree loses its leaves in winter. It produces small but showy white flowers from spring to summer. Berries appear late summer and ripen in fall. Plant in full sun for best color in moist but well-drained soil.

Roughleaf dogwood

Roughleaf dogwood (Cornus drummondii) is a deciduous shrub that’s native to eastern North America. The genus name comes from the Latin word “Cornu,” which means horn. This is because the wood is so dense and strong. The specific epithet “drummondii” is an homage to Thomas Drummond, a Scottish botanist. He spent considerable time in America collecting plant specimens.

All Species of Dogwoods

Because of its elegantly multilayered branches and creamy white blossoms, the Wedding Cake Tree resembles a cake. It is native to Southeast Asia and has won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Bees and butterflies feed on the nectar from the beautiful flowers of this plant.

Pagoda dogwood

Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) is a flowering species of dogwood plant native to eastern North America from Canada to the southern United States in Florida. It attracts bees, insects, bears, and deer.

Silky dogwood

Silky dogwood (*Cornus amomum*) is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. Underneath the leaves and twigs, you’ll find silky hairs—hence the name. Native Americans referred to it as 'kinnikinnick,' which means 'smoking mixture,' because they smoked it like tobacco. White flowers bloom forth in the spring. They are followed by blue fruit that birds love to snack on.

Bentham's cornel

Bentham's cornel (Cornus capitata) is an evergreen dogwood tree from the Himalayan region. It has also been naturalized in New Zealand and eastern Australia. The flowers bloom from early to mid-summer, and fleshy red fruit appears by fall. The fruit is edible, but can taste bitter.

Gray dogwood

Gray dogwood

The gray dogwood is an excellent addition to a wildflower or natural garden. Although this shrub is not particularly beautiful, it creates plenty of shelter and food for wildlife. It thrives in almost any type of soil, sunlight or watering conditions. Its dense nature and easy care makes it a great hedge bush.

Bunchberry dogwood

Bunchberry dogwood (Cornus canadensis) is a herbaceous, flowering perennial plant that grows along the ground and spreads by underground rhizomes. Bunchberry dogwood flowers bloom in the spring, followed by clusters of red berries that ripen in summer. This plant attracts birds, deer and other wildlife. It is commonly planted in gardens.

Japanese cornel

Japanese cornel (Cornus officinalis) is a deciduous shrub that grows from 4.5 to 8 m tall. It blooms showy yellow flowers in spring followed by edible red fruit in fall that has an astringent flavor. Its colorful foliage transforms from green to yellow to reddish-purple before falling off. Its exfoliating bark also changes from gray to brown.

Pacific dogwood

Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) was used by Native Americans used to extract brown dye and for basket weaving. The wood of this tree is solid and strong, making it the perfect material for making bows, arrows, piano keys, and mallet heads. It grows up to and 20 m tall.

Lapland cornel

Lapland cornel (*Cornus suecica*) is a perennial fruiting bush found in the subarctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. In summer, it produces small black flowers; these are surrounded by pale white stem leaves that are often mistaken for the actual petals. The berries are much loved by birds.

Stiff dogwood

Stiff dogwood (Cornus foemina) is a flowering shrub that prefers exceedingly moist soil but is known to adapt to drier habitats. Stiff dogwood flowers are not very pleasant smelling. It thrives best in six or more hours of full sun each day. It grows up to 4.5 m high.

Chinese dogwood

Chinese dogwood

The chinese dogwood is an evergreen flowering tree made up of leathery and glossy leaves that give it an attractive appearance. Its green to red berry-like fruits are edible to birds. It can be planted as an understory tree and can also be used for landscaping lawns and parks.

Round-Leaved Dogwood

Round-Leaved Dogwood

In some areas, the round-Leaved Dogwood is an endangered species. This large shrub prefers to grow in partial shade and along woody edges. It bears pretty white flowers in the spring and berry like fruits in the fall which are attractive to birds.

Western cordilleran bunchberry

Western cordilleran bunchberry (Cornus unalaschkensis) is a flowering plant species native to the western coast of North America. the Cornus unalaschkensis can be distinguished from the very similar Cornus canadensis because the Cornus unalaschkensis has petals with some purple on them, while the petals of Cornus canadensis are white or greenish-white.

Large-leafed dogwood

Large-leafed dogwood

Large-leafed dogwood is a large deciduous shrub or small tree notable for its broad leaves and robust stature. It flourishes in forest understories, benefitting from dappled sunlight, which encourages its striking white blossom clusters. As seasons shift, large-leafed dogwood's foliage transforms into a vivid autumn display, while its blue-black fruit provides sustenance for wildlife.

Wilson's dogwood

Wilson's dogwood

Wilson's dogwood is a semi-evergreen Chinese native plant with an appealing ghost-white exterior on its old trees’ trunks. Its Latin name Cornus wilsoniana comes from Latin cornus, meaning horn and referring to the wood's hardness, and wilsoniana, honoring Ernest Wilson, a British plant collector. This shrub is a perfect pick for a landscape because of its lovely seasonal flowers and fruits.

Korean dogwood

Korean dogwood

Korean dogwood is a popular ornamental tree for its profusion of white flowers and peculiar red globular fruit. This tree has further garden appeal because it is unaffected by dogwood anthracnose disease, which kills other dogwood species. The common name Korean dogwood and the Latin name chinensis both refer to this tree's East Asian heritage.

Cornus chinensis

Cornus chinensis is a deciduous shrub known for its elegant structure and seasonal interest. It typically features broad green leaves that transition to vibrant autumn hues. In spring, cornus chinensis is adorned with clusters of small, creamy-white flowers, followed by contrasting ornamental berries. Its growth and health flourish in well-drained soil with ample moisture, under full to partial sunlight.

Flowering dogwood 'Cherokee Chief'

Flowering dogwood 'Cherokee Chief'

Flowering dogwood 'Cherokee Chief' is a popular ornamental tree in gardens due to its beautiful pink flowers that appear in spring. In addition to its aesthetic value, the tree also has economic importance for lumber and tool handles. However, it should be noted that all parts of the tree are toxic to humans and animals if ingested.

Pacific dogwood 'Eddie's White Wonder'

Pacific dogwood 'Eddie's White Wonder'

Pacific dogwood 'Eddie's White Wonder' is a short Pacific dogwood that is a cross between Cornus nuttallii and Cornus florida. Compared to its parent plants, this dogwood is rather short, reaching only 8 m in height as opposed to 10 to 20 m. This hybrid is resistant to dogwood anthracnose, which is a common foliage disease that affects both parents. This dogwood is truly a white wonder, but it is not known who Eddie is.

Red dogwood

Red dogwood

It is a medium to large deciduous shrub, growing 2 to 6 m tall, with dark greenish-brown branches and twigs. The leaves are opposite, 4 to 8 cm long and 2 to 4 cm broad, with an ovate to oblong shape and an entire margin; they are green above, slightly paler below, and rough with short stiff pubescence.

Red barked dogwood 'Elegantissima'

Red barked dogwood 'Elegantissima'

Red barked dogwood 'Elegantissima', a cultivar of the Tatarian dogwood also known as Argenteo-marginata, is a vigorous upright shrub with bright red stems and attractive gray-green variegated leaves. In autumn this cultivar's leaves turn reddish-orange. The cultivar is named for its elegant appearance. Red barked dogwood 'Elegantissima's are often used by gardeners and landscapers as a hedge or screen - their red stems are particularly noticeable during the winter, when their foliage has dropped.

Red barked dogwood 'Aurea'

Red barked dogwood 'Aurea'

Red barked dogwood 'Aurea' has red stems, tiny cream-white flowers, gold-green leaves, and white berries that grow in clusters. It is a cultivar of the Red barked dogwood and named for its golden leaves (the Latin word "Aurea" means gold). Gardeners favor this cultivar for its flowers that are rich in pollen and attract birds and bees.

Red barked dogwood 'Spaethii'

Red barked dogwood 'Spaethii'

Red barked dogwood 'Spaethii', a cultivar of the Tartarian dogwood, is a medium-sized deciduous shrub with stems that turn bright red in winter. The leaves are dark green with bold yellow margins. Gardeners favor this cultivar as an ornamental plant. It is also resistant to browsing and attracts butterflies.

Red osier dogwood 'Cardinal'

Red osier dogwood 'Cardinal'

Red osier dogwood 'Cardinal' is a hardy Red osier dogwood cultivar with a shrub-forming growth habit and remarkably ornamental orange-red branches that turn bright red during the winter. This multi-branching tall bush offers multi-seasonal interest, but it is mostly prized for its winter color display.

Giant dogwood 'Variegata'

Giant dogwood 'Variegata'

Giant dogwood 'Variegata' is distinct for its leaves: green in the center and creamy white on the edges. A cultivar of Cornus controversa, its name refers to its multicolor foliage. This makes a great lawn tree, its spring bloom produces small but showy flowers, and its summer fruits attract birds.

Common dogwood 'Midwinter Fire'

The common dogwood 'Midwinter Fire' (Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire') is related to common dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) but has firey yellow and red-tipped stems in the winter months and grows much smaller than its parent. Because of their colors and compact size, they are a popular choice for landscaping; their fruits also attract birds, but cannot be used for human consumption.

Red barked dogwood 'Kesselringii'

Red barked dogwood 'Kesselringii'

Red barked dogwood 'Kesselringii', a cultivar of the Tatarian dogwood, is known for its dark green foliage and stunning, shiny deep-red stems that turn purple-black in winter. Gardeners favor this cultivar for its attractive dark bark and its autumn leaves, which are usually a shade of bronze.

Red osier dogwood 'Flaviramea'

Red osier dogwood 'Flaviramea'

Red osier dogwood 'Flaviramea' is distinct for its bright yellow stems in winter. A cultivar of Cornus sericea, its name comes from Latin and refers to its golden branches. This shrub is good for hedges and other borders, and its showy flowers attract birds and butterflies.

Red barked dogwood 'Sibirica'

Red barked dogwood 'Sibirica'

Red barked dogwood 'Sibirica' is a vigorous-growing, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub known for its brilliant red stems in winter. It is a cultivar of Tartarian dogwood. Red barked dogwood 'Sibirica' is planted decoratively, as it offers tiny, yellowish-white flowers in late spring that give way to bluish-white stone fruits. It also makes a great hedge or screen.

Dogwoods 'Flaviramea'

Dogwoods 'Flaviramea'

Dogwoods 'Flaviramea', known for its vibrant yellow-green stems, adds a splash of color to winter landscapes. This multi-stemmed shrub thrives in moist environments and spreads easily with its rooting branches. Its white spring flowers and variegated leaves are visually striking, while its adaptability allows it to stabilize banks and prevent erosion.

Cornus walteri

Cornus walteri, also called Walter's dogwood, is a deciduous shrub or small tree 8–16 m tall, native to eastern Asia in Korea and much of China from Liaoning to Yunnan. Cornus walteri has opposite, simple leaves, 5–12 cm long. The flowers are produced in inflorescences 6–8 cm diameter, each flower individually small and whitish. The flowering is in spring, after it leafs out. The fruit is a round, reddish-purple "drupaceous berry", 2.5-3.5 cm diameter. It is closely related to the European common dogwood (C. sanguinea).

Cornelian cherry 'Variegata'

Cornelian cherry 'Variegata'

Like many hybrids given the name 'variegata', this member of the Cornelian Cherry family is named for its two-colored green and creme leaves. In contrast, cornelian cherry 'Variegata''s parent plant has single-colored green leaves. This distinctive leaf color together with yellow flowers and bright red fruit make this cultivar a popular hedgerow and ornamental garden tree.

Cornus sanguinea 'Winter Beauty'

Cornus sanguinea 'Winter Beauty' is a striking ornamental shrub celebrated for its vibrant winter stem color, which ranges from fiery oranges to reds. During summer, its foliage is a fresh green before turning purple in autumn. Small white flowers blossom in spring, followed by dark berries. Cornus sanguinea 'Winter Beauty' thrives in well-drained soils and can brighten up winter gardens with its colorful display, especially when sunlight illuminates the bark.

Kousa dogwood 'Miss Satomi'

Kousa dogwood 'Miss Satomi'

This dogwood cultivar is known for its four seasons of interest, sporting an array of flowers, leaves, and fruit that are quite ornamental. Developed by Japanese hybridized Akiri Shibamichi, he named the kousa dogwood 'Miss Satomi' after his granddaughter, Satomi. The kousa dogwood 'Miss Satomi' may attract both pollinators for its flowers and birds for its small, strawberry-like fruits.

Common dogwood 'Anny's Winter Orange'

Common dogwood 'Anny's Winter Orange'

Common dogwood 'Anny's Winter Orange' is named for the fall and winter color of its leaves, which shade to a brilliant orange. This is a dwarf hybrid that grows to just 2 m compared to the 6 m height of its parent plant. This shrub is relatively innocuous for much of the year, but its winter brightness makes it worthy of consideration for year-round ornamental gardens.

Red osier dogwood 'Sunshine'

Cornus sericea subsp. Occidentalis 'Sunshine'

Red osier dogwood 'Sunshine'

Red osier dogwood 'Sunshine''s golden-speckled stems and bunches of bright white flowers give this variant its unique appearance. Cultivated as a dogwood hybrid, it was suitably named after its flecks of "sunshine" found throughout the plant. Red osier dogwood 'Sunshine' is popular for its distinct colors, prolific growth, and ease of care.

Cornus oblonga

Flowering cornus oblonga appear in many 19th-century paintings because of their spreading leaves and attractive flowers (which can appear in shades of red, pink, and white). In spite of these trees' North American origin, one Christian legend states that Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross made of cornus oblonga, and that they are relatively small trees because God no longer allows them to grow tall enough to be used for crosses.

Brown dogwood

Brown dogwood

Brown dogwood features smooth, reddish-brown bark and is a deciduous shrub native to Western North America. Its oval to lance-shaped leaves subtly hint at autumn with a reddish-purple fall color. Flat clusters of white to greenish-white flowers bloom in spring, underpinning its role in local ecosystems as a source of nourishment for pollinators. Berries follow, ripening to a blue-black, providing food for birds. Brown dogwood thrives in moist, well-drained soils in forested environments.

More Popular Genus

Feedback

Dracaena

Fig trees

Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.

Brambles

Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.

Maples

Prunus

Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.

Nightshades

Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.

Roses

Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.

Oaks

Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.

Dogwoods

Cornus

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Key Facts About Dogwoods

Feedback

Attributes of Dogwoods

Plant Height

3 m

Spread

3 m

Flower Color

White

Red

Pink

Leaf type

Deciduous

Ideal Temperature

0 - 32 ℃

Scientific Classification of Dogwoods

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Dogwoods, hydrangeas, and allies

Family

Dogwood

Genus

Dogwoods

Distribution of Dogwoods

Feedback

Distribution Map of Dogwoods

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

How to Grow and Care for Dogwoods

Feedback

How to Water Dogwoods?

What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Dogwoods?

How to Propagate Dogwoods?

How to Plant Dogwoods?

More Info About Caring for Dogwoods

Exploring the Dogwoods Plants

Feedback

8 most common species：

Show More Species

All Species of Dogwoods

Western cordilleran bunchberry

Flowering dogwood 'Cherokee Chief'

Pacific dogwood 'Eddie's White Wonder'

Red dogwood

Red barked dogwood 'Elegantissima'

Red barked dogwood 'Aurea'

Red barked dogwood 'Spaethii'

Red osier dogwood 'Cardinal'

Giant dogwood 'Variegata'

Common dogwood 'Midwinter Fire'

Red barked dogwood 'Kesselringii'

Red osier dogwood 'Flaviramea'

Red barked dogwood 'Sibirica'

Dogwoods 'Flaviramea'

Cornus walteri

Cornelian cherry 'Variegata'

Cornus sanguinea 'Winter Beauty'

Kousa dogwood 'Miss Satomi'

Common dogwood 'Anny's Winter Orange'

Red osier dogwood 'Sunshine'

Cornus oblonga

Brown dogwood

More Popular Genus

Feedback

Cookie Name	Source	Purpose	Lifespan
_ga	Google Analytics	These cookies are set because of our use of Google Analytics. They are used to collect information about your use of our application/website. The cookies collect specific information, such as your IP address, data related to your device and other information about your use of the application/website. Please note that the data processing is essentially carried out by Google LLC and Google may use your data collected by the cookies for own purposes, e.g. profiling and will combine it with other data such as your Google Account. For more information about how Google processes your data and Google’s approach to privacy as well as implemented safeguards for your data, please see here.	1 Year
_pta	PictureThis Analytics	We use these cookies to collect information about how you use our site, monitor site performance, and improve our site performance, our services, and your experience.	1 Year

Cookie Name	Source	Purpose	Lifespan
_fbp	Facebook Pixel	A conversion pixel tracking that we use for retargeting campaigns. Learn more here.	1 Year
_adj	Adjust	This cookie provides mobile analytics and attribution services that enable us to measure and analyze the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, certain events and actions within the Application. Learn more here.	1 Year