can you help me name this dogwood?

5 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

I was gifted this from a neighbor who knew I am trying to replace some of the landscaping we lost.

She said it's a dogwood, but even after reading descriptions I cant tell which kind.

I'm trying to decide if it would be a decent option for the front yard or if I should try it in the back. If it is a kind more vulnerable to powdery mildew I might think twice about where I put it.

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

5 years ago

Most likely to be Cornus sericea, redtwig or red osier dogwood. Native to most of the US and Canada, with the exception of the southeast. And with dozens of named forms.

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Comments (13)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
5 years ago
From what I can see it may be Cornus alternifolia (Pagoda dogwood).

tj
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Embothrium
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Yes, it's one like that - closely related, much planted Old World species C. alba might also be possible.
bengz6westmd
5 years ago
Agree w/the gal -- Cornus sericea. Blooming now on my lot:
Embothrium
5 years ago
Main obvious difference between the two species is that C. alba suckers.
4bubbies
Original Author
5 years ago
this little tree actually came about from a pruning scrap. A neighbor of mine took a bunch home from a dump scrap pile to use the branches for decoration and this one sprouted and started to grow.
bengz6westmd
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
4bubbles, the one I show started as a vigorous twig pushed deep into the ground in spring and watered constantly until it sprouted & got well established (a couple yrs). This species of dogwood is one of the few trees that will do that (weeping willow is another).
4bubbies
Original Author
5 years ago
just an update. we planted it a few weeks ago. Its survived the hot summer in a pot and is now doing well in the ground. The branches are a lot more red now. Thanks for the photo beng12. It looks great. I hope ours looks like that this coming spring.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
Just to clarify, Cornus sericea suckers as well...and quite vigorously!! This plant also goes by the synonymous species name of C. stolonifera, so that should tell you something :-)
4bubbies
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Thanks! We have it in the back where there is more room. Height and suckering would even be an advantage to fill out the hedge.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
5 years ago
Beng, many shrubs will grow from pieces stuck in the ground. Forsythia, Ribes, spiraeas even many roses.
Rachel Lee
5 years ago
Francis
Embothrium
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
For whatever reason my preceding post had the two similar species switched. Between the two the New World version is the one that is "rampant" (Hillier Manual of Trees & Shrubs, 2014, Royal Horticultural Society, London). The Cappiello & Shadow Dogwoods book (2005, Timber Press, Portland/Cambridge) puts it this way, when describing C. alba:

"It differs from the very popular C. stolonifera in growth habit in that C. alba does not spread by suckers to form large broad colonies as does C. stolonifera."

It's a matter of degree - they both sucker to form thickets, but C. sericea (C. stolonifera) does so much more vigorously.