Plant Guide

Description:

An underutilized and quite showy shrub for general garden or massing use; white flowers in spring, white berries in fall on showy pink stems, and good fall color; very adaptable, but suckers profusely

Ornamental Features

Gray Dogwood has clusters of creamy white flowers at the ends of the branches in late spring. It has grayish green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves turn an outstanding deep purple in the fall. It produces white berries in late summer.

Landscape Attributes

Gray Dogwood is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a high maintenance shrub that will require regular care and upkeep, and can be pruned at anytime. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Suckering

Gray Dogwood is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Gray Dogwood will grow to be about 12 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub performs well in both full sun and full shade. It is an amazingly adaptable plant, tolerating both dry conditions and even some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is native to parts of North America.