Dogwood, Gray
Cornus racemosa

(northern swamp dogwood)

Seedling Height: 8 to 16 inches

Mature Size: 8 to 10 feet in height and 6 inches to 1 foot in diameter

Type: Deciduous

Growth Rate: Medium

Form: A short multiple-stem tree that the crown can reach 6 to 8 feet wide

Soil Type: Clay, loam, sand, intermediate flooding, well drained

Light: Full sun to some light shade

Foliage: Opposite, simple, ovate to elliptical, 2.5 to 5 inches long, dark green above, lighter below; leaves turn deep maroon in fall.

Blooms: Early to late summer

Flowers: Small dull white racemes, about 2 inches across

Fruit: White, 1/4 to 1/3" in diameter in rounded clusters, maturing in late summer to fall

Values and Uses: A great riparian species but can tolerate dryer soils. The white fruit is desired by many song birds. Flowers are very beautiful, especially when multiple trees are in the same area. After fruit is eaten the red stalks will stay and give a great color.

Did You Know? Gray dogwood can be planted to make a shrub boarder. Also, it is very similar to Silky Dogwood and Red Osier Dogwood