Stiff Dogwood
(Cornus foemina)
Stiff Dogwood (Cornus foemina)
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mfeaver
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mfeaver
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CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: mfeaver | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: mfeaver | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2016-04-15T12:12:42-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Cornus foemina, commonly known as Stiff Dogwood, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to wetlands, swamp margins, and along streams and rivers in the Southeastern United States. It typically grows up to 15 feet tall with trunks up to 4 inches in diameter. The bark on mature trees can be smooth or exhibit shallow furrows. The leaves are simple, oppositely arranged, and oval-shaped with entire margins, turning reddish-purple in the fall. From late spring to early summer, it produces flat-topped clusters of small, creamy white flowers that are moderately showy. The fruit is a blue or purple drupe, which is attractive to birds and other wildlife.
Stiff Dogwood is valued for its adaptability to wet conditions and is often used for naturalizing in moist garden areas or along water features. It is also suitable for erosion control due to its dense root system. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers medium to wet soils with good drainage. While it is relatively low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to dogwood anthracnose and powdery mildew. It is not known for aggressive roots or significant invasiveness issues.CC BY-SA 4.0
Stiff Dogwood is valued for its adaptability to wet conditions and is often used for naturalizing in moist garden areas or along water features. It is also suitable for erosion control due to its dense root system. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers medium to wet soils with good drainage. While it is relatively low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to dogwood anthracnose and powdery mildew. It is not known for aggressive roots or significant invasiveness issues.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree, Shrub
- Height: 10-15 feet
- Width: 10-15 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Hedges, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Wetlands, swamp margins, and along streams and rivers in the Southeastern United States
Other Names
Common Names: Swamp Dogwood, Bluefruit Dogwood, Stiffcornel Dogwood, Southern Swamp Dogwood, Gray Dogwood, Stiff Cornel Dogwood, English Dogwood
Scientific Names: , Cornus foemina, Cornus stricta, Cornus foemina subsp. foemina, Cornus candidissima, Swida stricta, Cornus albida, Cornus striata, Swida foemina, Cornus fastigiata
GBIF Accepted Name: Cornus foemina Mill.