gray-stemmed dogwood

Plant Type

Small Tree/Large Shrub (10-25 ft)

Life Cycle

Perennial

Typical Size

10-15 ft. tall
10-15 ft. wide

Tolerant of

Drought, Occasional Flooding

Propagation

By seed, By cutting, By division, By air-layering

Plant Planting Notes

Provide a minimum of 10 feet to accommodate rhizomatous spread.

Plants/Diseases

No significant diseases or pests. Dogwood bug gall occurs occasionally.

Wildlife Benefits

Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects, Host plant for butterfly larvae, Fruit/seeds for birds

Leaves

Leaves opposite, blades lanceolate to ovate with secondary veins.

Flowers

Small creamy-white flowers clustered on dome-shaped panicles.

Fruit

The white drupes form in the late summer to early fall.

Bark

Older bark is dark gray to dark brown with prominent lenticels. Newer twigs are red.

Toxicity

No known toxicity.

USDA Hardiness Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Light Exposure

Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade, Full Shade

Soil Moisture

Dry, Medium, Moist

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acidic (less than 6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0), Basic (greater than 8.0)

Native in South Carolina?

No

Closest States Where Native

North Carolina

Plant Native Habitat

Wet to moist forests, thickets, and swamp margins.

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Secure (G5)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Rare in the North Carolina Piedmont.