Cornus racemosa
Gray Dogwood
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Often found on upland areas this native species forms large mounding clumps. Its gray branches, white berries and yellow autumn colour are interesting in its native habitat.
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| Family |
| Cornaceae |
| Genus |
| Cornus |
| Species |
| racemosa |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (deciduous) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 5 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 4 - 6a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H7 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -29 - (-23) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -30 - (-20) |
| Height |
| 3 m |
| Spread |
| 2.5 m |
| General Description |
| A vigorous, dense native shrub. |
| Landscape |
| Of little use in the cultivated landscape it is often used in landscape restoration projects. |
| Cultivation |
| Very adaptable to moist or dry soils, full sun or shade but grows best in moist soil |
| Shape |
| Mounding. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| ID Characteristic |
| Gray bark and deeply veined leaves. |
| Pests |
| None serious to warrant attention. |
| Habitat |
| Upland or dry ridges, usually on lean soils in full sun. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Pale gray and smooth. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Flowers - terminally borne, more plump than vegetative buds. |
| Leaf Description |
| Opposite, simple, narrow-elliptic, 5-10 cm long. |
| Flower Description |
| Whitish, 5 cm long, cymose panicles. |
| Fruit Description |
| Drupe, white .5 cm diameter, August into September. |
| Colour Description |
| Dull gray-green, purplish tinge in autumn, not spectacular in colour. |
| Texture Description |
| Medium. |
| Notable Specimens |
| The A.M. Cuddy Gardens, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. Joany’s Woods, West Williams, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada. |
| Propagation |
| Seed needs 120 days at 5°C in sand or peat. |