Image of Cornus racemosa
Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek
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Plant Names

image of Shrub
Cornus racemosa
Grey Dogwood
Cornouiller à grappes

Synonyms

northern swamp dogwood
panicled dogwood
red-panicled dogwood

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: White Bloom Period: May - Jun
Max Height: 15.0 feet
Max Width: 15.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
Landscape Uses:
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
school garden Suitable for school gardens
hedge Can be used as a hedge
Ecological Benefits:
butterfly host Butterfly host
bee host Bee host
keystones species Keystone species
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Acidic Soil Tolerant Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:

Seed and plant distribution status

Seeds in stock
Available at table Vines, Shrubs, Trees
We currently accept seeds for this plant

Fun Facts

Grey dogwood is a tolerant of all kinds of soil conditions and city pollution. Leaves turn a subtle purple-red colour in fall, and the red on the tip of branches lasts into the winter.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Cornus racemosa
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Boreal Plains
  • Prairies
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Cornus racemosa

Specialized Bees Supported by Cornus racemosa

  • Andrena fragilis
  • Andrena integra
  • Andrena persimulata

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Rhamnus cathartica (Common Buckthorn)
  • Rhamnus frangula (Glossy Buckthorn)
  • Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow by December
  • Stratification duration: 120 days
  • Notes: Warm moist stratify 60d, then cold moist stratify 60d.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Berries are ripen and easily fall off or have fallen off
  • Harvesting:
    • Squeeze berries to extract seeds, wash with soapy water, rinse throroughly
  • Seed viability test:
    • Put seed in container filled with water
    • If the seed goes at the bottom of the container, you can donate
    • If seed floats, do not donate
  • Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
  • Seed storage:
    • Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • Remove non-seed material
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.