- Dogwood: Origin and Properties
- Planting dogwood: location, planting time and more
- The right care
- Is Cornus hardy?
- Propagating Dogwood
- Is dogwood poisonous?
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Dogwoods can grow into impressive shrubs and trees. They delight with their colorful autumn colors and some bear edible fruit. We introduce the versatile dogwood and give tips on planting and care.
The robust dogwoods (Cornus) can be used in a variety of ways in garden design. We provide tips on planting, propagating and caring for dogwoods.
Dogwood: Origin and Properties
The dogwood, also called horn bush, is a genus within the dogwood family (Cornaceae). The hardy shrubs to small trees are mainly found in the temperate to sub-polar zones of the northern hemisphere. There they inhabit moist meadows, forests and shrub hedges. Numerous species come from North America or East Asia with a focus on Japan, Korea and China. Native dogwoods are the cornel (Cornus mas) and the crimson dogwood (Cornus sanguinea).
Perennial dogwoods usually grow into 2 to 6 m tall and often just as wide, multi-stemmed shrubs, but there are also Cornus as ground covers. With a few exceptions, the leaves of the dogwood are opposite on the shoots and are tapering and ovate to elliptical. Many deciduous species enrich the garden with bright autumn colors and striking yellow or red shoots. Some dogwoods are evergreen, such as the pagoda dogwood (Cornus controversa).
The flowers of the dogwood are in panicles or heads, often framed by large, white to pink colored bracts, the so-called bracts. But is the dogwood bee-friendly? Cornus species are flowering plants rich in nectar and pollen and are therefore often visited by bees and other insects. From the middle of summer the fruits of the dogwood ripen. These are single to compound drupes, most of which are edible. The Asian flower dogwood (Cornus kousa) and the cornel are used as high-yielding wild fruits.
When do dogwoods flower? Dogwoods flowerdepending on the species extremely different between February and August. In our article on dogwood species and varieties, we give an overview of the most important species and their characteristics, such as plant height, flowering time and location requirements.
Planting dogwood: location, planting time and more
When planting dogwoods, the right approach and the planting distance must be observed in addition to the choice of location.
The right location for dogwoods
Dogwoods prefer locations in full sun to partial shade, less often in the shade. However, the lower part of the trunk and the root area should always be well shaded, cool and moist. Most species thrive on fresh, well-drained and nutrient-rich soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH value. Higher pH levels with chalky soil only tolerate Cornus alba and Cornus sanguinea well.
Procedure for planting
Most dogwoods grow into stately shrubs or small trees. They are therefore more suitable for planting in beds and not for pot culture. Depending on the growth width, dogwoods should be planted in the garden at a distance of 3 to 6 m from other plants. A mulch layer or low underplanting of the solitary dogwood not only looks more natural, but also shades the root area and keeps the soil moist. Ground-covering perennials such as liverworts (Hepatica), ivy (Hedera helix), catnip (Nepeta) are suitable for this. ), Coral Bells (Heuchera) or Elfin Flowers (Epimedium). Planting dogwood as a hedge is also popular, with dense shrub-like plants with many shoots being suitable.
Low species such as the dwarf dogwood 'Kelseyi' or the creeping to ground-covering dogwoods Cornus canadensis and Cornus suecica, however, can be in Cultivate pots and planters. As forest dwellers, these two species prefer a rather acidic soil. Here we recommend our peat-reduced Plantura organic acidic soil, which can be used for planters or to create a bog bed in the garden. Some dogwoods like the cornel can also be grown as bonsai.
The optimal planting time for the dogwood is in the fall (between October and November) when the leaves have been shed. A freshly planted dogwood formsthen primarily roots and can already show good growth in the following year. Alternatively, plant in early spring, but in summer it is particularly important to ensure a good water supply.
At the future location, unwanted weeds should be removed before planting and the soil should be dug up and loosened over a large area. Poor soils can be enriched with mature compost in this step. Now a sufficiently large planting hole is dug, which is about twice as large as the root ball. Put the dogwood in, but no deeper than it was in the pot before, and fill in the planting hole with soil. The soil is slightly compacted all around and a watering rim is formed on larger shrubs and trees. In locations exposed to the wind, it may be necessary to attach a stake and coconut rope to keep the dogwood plants upright. Finally, water vigorously.
At a glance: planting dogwoods
- Species-dependent planting distance for solitary shrubs and trees, usually between 3 - 6 m.
- Tillage: Remove wild herbs, loosen large areas, incorporate organic matter if necessary.
- Dig a generous planting hole and plant dogwoods.
- Fill with substrate, press down lightly and shape the pouring rim.
- Tie large shrubs or trees to a stake and water.
- Under planting with low perennials or mulch to shade the root area.
The right care
Dogwoods do not require any special care. We provide tips on pruning dogwood, water and nutrient supply.
Fertilize and water
Sufficient moisture and a good supply of nutrients are essential for vigorous dogwood plants. In hot, dry periods, it should be watered regularly if the dogwood has been planted in a bucket or has just been placed in the bed and has not yet been able to develop a deep root system.
Dogwood has a medium to high nutrient requirement. Fertilize dogwoods in spring when the leaves sprout, whether in pots or beds. A predominantly organic long-term fertilizer, such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer, is ideal for maintenance fertilization. The animal-free, low-dust granules are simply scattered around the plant, gently worked in and watered. Soil organisms use the nutrients it contains over the course of monthsthe plant roots free and thus prevent over-fertilization or leaching. For potted plants, the fertilizer granules can simply be mixed with fresh potting soil when repotting.
Cutting Dogwood
Many dogwoods are pruning tolerant and can be trimmed regularly, which is particularly important for hedging plants. Dogwood trees and large shrubs rarely need pruning. Here only dead, diseased or injured branches are removed. Cornus shrubs with colorful shoots, such as Cornus alba, Cornus sericea or Cornus sanguinea, can be strong every year be pruned, because only young shoots show the bright colors. The right time for pruning dogwoods is in early spring before the leaves sprout.
Common Dogwood Diseases
Dogwoods are generally hardy and are rarely attacked by disease or pests. Powdery mildew (Erysiphaceae) can appear on the leaves in unfavorable years. Root rot can develop if waterlogged. A suitable location before planting, a drainage layer and good water drainage in the planters prevent this. The common comma scale (Lepidosaphes ulmi) and the horse chestnut scale (Pulvinaria regalis) suck plant sap, causing deformities and the death of young leaves and shoots can come. Only severe infestations require treatment - lice-eating beneficial insects usually take care of it.
A common disease in dogwoods is dogwood anthracnose caused by the fungus Discula destructiva. Spots form on leaves and bracts from late spring, mostly from bottom to top. In addition, canker sores appear on the shoots and the bush may die off completely or partially. If diseased or damaged parts are cut out and disposed of immediately, the plants may be saved. Flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida) and Nuttall's dogwoods (Cornus nuttallii) are particularly susceptible to disease.
Is Cornus hardy?
Most dogwood species are reliably hardy to temperatures below -20 °C and do not require any winter protection except in harsh winters. Dogwoods in buckets can hibernate outdoors with a sufficiently large volume of soil and a protectivePreserve an insulating layer of jute or fleece to prevent the pot from freezing through. Bonsai trees, on the other hand, should always be overwintered frost-free. Late frosts in spring can damage sensitive species such as the flower dogwood. If there is a threat of icy temperatures, these shrubs or trees should be wrapped up well for a short time.
Propagating Dogwood
Dogwood can be propagated using offshoots, cuttings and sticks. In summer, the propagation of cuttings over the still soft shoot tips is a good idea. In autumn, leafless sticks can be cut and rooted in a moist sand-soil mixture. Some species form runners that are cut off with a sharp spade and transplanted in autumn. Propagation is also possible through the dogwood seeds from the fruits. In order to get stately plants, however, several years must be planned. The seeds are cold germs and therefore need a cold period of several weeks before germination.
Is dogwood poisonous?
The bark, leaves and roots of some species, such as the native blood-red dogwood, are classified as slightly poisonous. This applies to both humans and pets that eat the plants. For horses, on the other hand, the leaves of the dogwood are considered non-toxic. Dogwood foliage has tiny hairs that can cause allergic contact dermatitis on sensitive skin. It is therefore better to wear gloves when cutting the plants. However, the fruits of many dogwoods, especially cornel and fruit dogwood, can be eaten raw or processed.
Hawthorn (Crataegus) is a native wild and hedge plant that is often planted together with dogwood. With us you will learn everything about properties, claims and use.