Image of Cornus racemosa
Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek
image of Shrub
Cornus racemosa
Grey Dogwood
Cornouiller à grappes

Obsolete Names

northern swamp dogwood
panicled dogwood
red-panicled dogwood
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
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 that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
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:
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
bee host Bee host
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:

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Cornus racemosa
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Boreal Plains
  • Prairies
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Cornus racemosa

  • Celastrina ladon (Spring Azure)
  • Hyalophora cecropia (Cecropia moth)

Specialized Bees Supported by Cornus racemosa

  • Andrena fragilis
  • Andrena integra
  • Andrena persimulata
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

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 Sowing Label (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 mean: 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, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one 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.