Family: Comaceae
Common Name: Dogwood

These hardy, deciduous shrubs and trees originate from temperate parts of the northern hemisphere, especially North America. American forest dogwoods are a distinctive feature in spring when in bloom, and again in autumn with their foliage. Over the centuries nearly every part of these plants has been used in some way: the bark and twigs as medicine and tooth powder; the bark, with sulphate, to make ink; the wood for making tools; the roots for red dye; and the fruit as a substitute for olives.

Species

C. alba, Tartarian dogwood, zone 3, has a wide spreading habit and grows to 3 m (10 ft) tall. The attractive, deep red winter shoots and the red, twiggy branches are the main features of this striking species. The leaves are oval in shape and the small flowers are yellowish white.

C. capitata, zone 8, from the Himalayas, is an evergreen tree, to 16 m (52 ft), with creamy white bracts followed by large, red fruit.

C. florida, zone 5, flowering dogwood, is a most beautiful tree in all seasons, with an abundance of large, white bracts (the flowers) in spring, attractive autumn foliage, and red fruits in summer. It has a wide, spreading habit and grows to 12 m (40 ft) tall in its habitat, but about 6-8 m (20-26 ft) in cultivation. Var. pluribracteata has double pink flowers; rubra has red flowers.

C. kousa, Japanese flowering dogwood, zone 5, grows to 6m (20 ft), with dense, deep green foliage, showy, white bracts in early summer and strawberry-like fruits, 2 cm (3 in) in diameter.

C. mas, cornelian cherry, zone 5, is a European tree growing to 6 m (20 ft) in height. The small, yellow flowers, borne in spring on bare branches, are followed by edible, red fruit.

C. nuttallii, Pacific dogwood, zone 7, is a lovely, slender tree growing to heights of 20 m (65 ft) in its habitat, though in cultivation it is generally a tall shrub. It has cream flowers which turn pink, red or orange fruit, and red and gold autumn foliage. This species can flower both in spring and autumn.

Cultivation

Dogwoods grow naturally in woodland environments so they prefer cool roots. They should be heavily mulched or cultivated among slow-growing shrubs or with groundcover at their base. Propagate from seed or cuttings, or by division for spreading species. Some varieties are budded or grafted on seedling stocks to ensure gold or silver variegations or particular fruit colouration. All species can be transplanted, even when quite large, except for the evergreen C. capitata, which cannot be successfully transplanted beyond 1.5 m (5 ft) in height. All benefit from pruning, especially those with coloured stems which should be cut hard at the end of winter or in very early spring.

Climate

There are species suited to various climatic zones.