There are 45 varieties of dogwood trees and shrubs, each of which produces a variety of colors. Each of these dogwood species may be available in different cultivars that offer unique features, such as a dwarf size, variegated leaf color, or unusual bark or stem color. Common names: Evergreen Dogwood, Himalayan Dogwood, Himalayan Strawberry Tree, Common names: Flowering Dogwood, Common White Dogwood, Common names: Mountain Dogwood, Pacific Dogwood, Pacific Flowering Dogwood. Actually, its flowers are quite small. The silky dogwood, C. amomum, bears gray-blue berries and the yellow-flowering cornelian cherry, C. mas, yields an edible harvest of orange-red berries, resembling tiny pear tomatoes. Fruits of Cornus mas, C. C. alba sibirica C. kousa and C. Dogwoods (sanguinea) produce a variety of colors, forms, and sizes of berry-like fruit. Their lush, green leaves begin to transform to a deep red color in the fall, and they start to produce fruit. The fruit stalks remain and turn an attractive red. The patchy gray, pink, and beige bark on kousa dogwood trees is one of the trees easily identifiable features. Zone 4 Dogwood Trees - Planting Dogwood Trees In Cold Climates, Kousa Dogwood Care: Tips For Growing Kousa Dogwood Trees, Bushes That Grow In Zone 4: Growing Shrubs In Zone 4 Gardens, How To Create A Secret Garden In Your Own Backyard, Reasons For No Brussels Sprouts On Plants, Can You Propagate Forsythia: How To Propagate Forsythia Shrubs, Palm Tree Care Tips For Planting A Palm Tree In The Garden, What Is A Jatropha Curcas Tree: Jatropha Uses In The Landscape, Growing Carissa Shrubs: How To Grow A Carissa Natal Plum, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. In the Peach State, they mature during September and October. Dogwoods are commonly used as both flowering shrubs and trees in a landscape. Species like Kousa, Himalayan, and Silkyknown for their showy blossoms, typically contain red fruit that does not turn blue-black with age. Dont forget that natural products arent always risk-free, and the proper dosage is critical, too. Let's dive in! There are approximately 17 dogwood varieties that are native to North America. Silky hairs cover the leaves and twigs. Its fall foliage ranges from purple to red. The native flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) produces shiny oval inedible berries growing in small clusters. Use plants that require no more than 4 inches of soil depth in close proximity to the protective mulch circle. Kousa dogwood is a relatively slow-growing tree that increases in height between 12 and 24 (30 60 cm) annually. Diseases can include fruit or twig blight, leaf spot, or powdery mildew. Dogwood trees with red berries are small to medium, beautiful, deciduous trees, some of which produce tasty fruit. Read the following subsections to learn more about the deer-resistant types of dogwood. This tree is a beautiful specimen plant that grows best in moist, well-draining soils. Its bright green leaves turn red in fall, and fuzzy-white flowers are found in springtime, giving way to bluish-white fruits. These are also known to bloom dull-white by the end of Spring, and they have both elliptical and oval leaves. The smooth leaves have characteristic veins that bend up toward the tip. Left to right: Fruits of Cornus mas, C. alba 'Sibirica', C. kousa, and C. sanguinea) Dogwoods trees produce berry-like fruit in various colors, shapes and sizes. It is often considered the western version of the flowering dogwood, but with this plant, the white flowers are quite large and the fall color is yellow, orange, or red. The latter two are introduced species that have earned a place in American gardens because they are more disease resistant than native species. The clusters of shiny berries can remain on the tree for several months, unless they are ravished by birds. Look for this species to have new bark that is orange-brown each year. You should also clear fallen leaves from around the trunk since the plant can get fungus. Cornelian cherry cultivation is suited to USDA zones 4 through 8. Native range: Eastern North America. Also known as the European Dogwood and the Bloodtwig Dogwood, the common Dogwood is native to Europe and Western Asia. The oval leaves are about 4 inches long, and the fruits turn cherry red in mid-summer. Finally, the trees have white flowers and deep green lanceolate leaves turning red in the fall. In addition, some ornamental dogwood trees have variegated leaves that add to their decorative appeal. Many gardeners consider flowering dogwood as one of the most spectacular landscaping trees. It blooms in late winter or very early spring, with the yellow blossoms making their appearance before early spring-bloomers such as forsythia. Dogwood . Ideally, the dogwood trees thrive in full sun or part shade and can tolerate six hours of direct sunlight daily. You can plant a kousa dogwood tree in acidic, nutrient-rich soil with good drainage. Though with this type, the white blooms are much larger, and the fall foliage is a red, orange, or yellow color. Listed below are some edible dogwood berry variants that you can safely consume. What Is the Difference Between Garlic Salt and Garlic Powder? The species of flowering dogwood tree can be found in woodlands and open spaces throughout the eastern United States. You can harvest the fruit of this tree once it has ripened and fallen to the ground, and use it to make liquors, jams, desserts, pickles, and sauces. Cornelian Cherry Dogwood 5. If pollination occurs, the flowers develop into showy, red berries, each one about 1/2 inch . They will also consume other types of fruit including grapes, cherries, mulberries, and blueberries; however, their diet consists mostly of insects during breeding season. Copyright 2023. Nonpoisonous Berries. This dogwood grows natively in southern Canada and the northwestern US. It is recognized by its pyramidal crown that flattens as it matures. Dogwoods can be identified by their smooth-edged leaves, with veins that are parallel to the margins (edges). This species produces yellow flowers that bloom in early spring before the leaves appear. The Pacific dogwood is a western version of the Flowering dogwood. Monrovia describes the aurora dogwood (Cornus x Rutban) as having creamy white blossoms with a silky feel. Being a Los Angeles resident, Jessica spends a lot of her time looking for her next DIY project and sharing her love for home design. Dogwoods thrive in rich, damp but well-draining soil that's slightly acidic. It has a dense, bushy habit and can also be grown as a large shrub. However, only four of those are popularly grown. Unfortunately, the cornelian cherrys fall foliage is not particularly showy. Flowering dogwoods have tremendous ornamental appeal in garden landscapes. The height of a dogwood tree will depend on the variety planted and how much sun it gets. Compared to native dogwoods, the kousa dogwood has a more upright habit and flowers later than the other species. Flowering dogwoods grow to between 12 and 20 feet (3.5-6 m.) tall with a trunk diameter of 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.). Flowers on Cornelian cherry dogwood trees are bright, golden-yellow showy clusters. The sweet, tasty red berries from the kousa dogwood tree taste like soursop or persimmon fruits. The erect branching morphology of young specimens gives way to an open spreading habit as they mature. With species native to North America, Europe, and Asia, in addition to numerous cultivars, youll have no issue finding a dogwood that best suits your purposes. These features make the Cornelian cherry dogwood one of the most popular flowering dogwoods. To avoid competing for moisture and soil nutrients, plants that respect the root growth needs of dogwoods are shallow-rooted. Cherry can be used in jellies, jams, syrups, pies, and wines because they taste like tart cherries. Popularly, however, the term is restricted to the ripened ovaries that are sweet and either succulent or pulpy. Canadian bunchberry The Canadian bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) is well known in some areas in Canada for a number of different reasons, including being 1 of the 2 only sub scrubs in the dogwood tree family. It looks delightful interplanted with other types of red twig dogwood with different stem colors, but is especially demanding of consistently damp conditions to ensure good growth. Dogwood was once used in place of the medicine quinine to cure malaria. In late summer, the leaves turn dark red and bright red berries appear in place of the flowers. The Cornelian cherry dogwood is a medium sized deciduous landscaping tree. White flowers appear in late spring, leading to white berries in summer, which are edible to birds. When many people imagine dogwoods, this is often the variety that comes to mind. The flavor is exceptional for a temperate environment fruit, tasting like a cross between pumpkin and mango. However, the deciduous tree requires average moisture, so you should water it to keep the soil consistently moist. Dogwood flowers (those buttonlike clusters at the center of the bracts) rely on insects for pollination. . In fact, the bark looks like nearly uniform square scales. There are many types of dogwoods, ranging from small shrubs to single-trunked ornamental trees. The ball-shaped fruits dangle at the end of a long, slender petiole. Dense clusters of tiny yellow flowers appear at the end of bare branches towards the end of winter or early in spring, bringing a much-needed shock of color to the landscape. Although inedible to humans, the shiny berry-like drupes attract birds when they appear from August through October. The fall colors of the Dogwood are well-known for their beauty. In most cases, they are edible and can be used in cooking, though some dogwoods produce mildly toxic fruit to humans. This plant is one of the few dogwoods that feature foliage that is arranged alternately rather than in opposing positions on the stems. Cornelian cherry dogwood is another name for this berry, and it creates clusters of tiny yellow flowers. Fall foliage color is red to purple. It is often used as an ingredient in sauces, jams, liquor, and even pickles. Dogwood trees should be pruned with a sterile garden cutting tool once a year either in the late fall, winter, or very early spring (March) when a flowering dogwood tree is dormant. The interesting bark is light to dark grayish brown, which exfoliates as the tree matures, leaving behind patches of reddish-brown and tan. While the Flowering dogwood grows throughout the eastern side of North America, the Pacific dogwood is found natively from British Columbia in western Canada down to California in the US. Some people also report skin rashes from contact with the leaves and bark of dogwoods. It produces white flowers in spring, which give way to bright red berries in late summer. Newly planted dogwood trees will benefit from the moist soil during these two seasons. This Dogwood is a very showy variety, which offers year-round visual interest. It can also be used as a tonic, strength enhancer, appetite stimulant, and appetite stimulant. Most dogwood trees and shrubs are considered understory trees and can thrive in part shade, but some varieties also benefit from full sun. Most shrub-like dogwoods are in the Cornus genus and called dogwood, like Tatarian dogwood ( Cornus alba ). Most dogwoods prefer a site with dappled sunlight. This plant provides four seasons of interest, with white flowers blooming in spring before the foliage emerges. It can be rather messy as the fruit drops and starts to decay. They thrive in USDA zones 5 through 8. The trees do best in full sun to part shade and while they do well in a variety of soils, they prefer fertile, well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5-7.5. Kousa dogwood trees grow 15 30 ft. (4 9 m) tall and wide. Grown as a shrub, it may be used for borders or screening. Fall color is purplish to red. In USDA zones 5 through 8, kousa dogwood ( Cornus kousa ) bears showy, pinkish-red fruits that resemble raspberries.Although the taste doesn't rival that of its lookalike, the berries are edible. Also known as Chinese dogwood, Korean dogwood, or Japanese dogwood, the kousa dogwood is another popular variety. It is considered an upright deciduous shrub that features multiple stems. The Silky Dogwood is endemic to the United States central and eastern regions and sections of Canada. Dogwood Trees with Red Fruits Kousa Dogwood Botanical name: Cornus kousa Common names: Kousa Dogwood, Japanese Dogwood Plant family: Cornaceae USDA hardiness zone: 5 - 8 Mature height: 7 to 30 feet Mature spread: 3 to 30 feet The Kousa dogwood is native to Asia, and it is recommended as a good alternative to the Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). Kousa dogwood: Showy, pinkish-red to red fruits resembling raspberries appear in September and October. However, the stunning multi-stemmed tree is cultivated throughout the United States as a small ornamental landscaping tree. The visual appeal of flowering dogwoods is from its alligator skin-like bark, clusters of glistening fruits, and shades of scarlet and purple in the fall. Length: 5.5-7.5 in (14-19 cm) Weight: 0.8-1.3 oz (22-38 g) Wingspan: 9.8-11.8 in (25-30 cm) Range: United States, Canada, Mexico, Greenland and northern Eurasia. The Canadian bunchberry (also known simply as bunchberry or dwarf cornel) is one of two subshrubs in this group. 1. To enhance the appearance of the bark, lower branches should be trimmed away frequently. Native to the Eastern U.S., this handsome tree thrives in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. The most common dogwood tree with red berries is the kousa dogwood. In spring, its small white flowers form in clusters known as cymes, which are known for their unpleasant smell. Lower branches should be pruned away to enhance the appearance of the bark. Brown Dogwood 2. Native to eastern Asia, the kousa dogwood also goes by the names Chinese dogwood, Korean dogwood, and Japanese dogwood. The plant has yellow flowers with oval foliage that is approximately four inches in length. Although, there are some herbaceous perennial subshrubs, which are fast-growing and typically die back in the winter to ground level, growing back from buds found at the base of the plant. Common Types of Dogwood Trees With Red Berries The three common types of dogwood trees producing red berries are the kousa dogwood, Cornelian cherry dogwood, and the flowering dogwood tree. Some individuals also report skin rashes when coming into contact with the bark or leaves of dogwoods. The leaves of the white dogwood are edible, as well. In June, small white flowers set in two to three-inch diameter cymes join the two to five-inch long dark green leaves. The plant should be about 12 inches below the grow light. Giant Dogwood 7. If you're not 100 percent certain . The tree is identified by its vase habit that becomes rounded with age. We'll assume you're ok with this. You may also know them as European dogwood and Bloodtwig dogwood. Name: C. amomum 'Cayenne'. European Atlas of Forest Tree Species. It grows well in full sun or partial shade, and though it prefers moist and rich soils, it will adapt to other soil types. These fruits grow in clusters, characterized by their round shape and bumpy texture similar to a strawberry. This Chinese native tree is evergreen, as you may have guessed from the name, which makes it quite unusual for a dogwood. Asking someone to recommend the best dogwood for Oklahoma might seem a mean joke. In the Midwest, this is a hardier substitute for the acid-loving flowering dogwood. Chestnuts are protected by the bur (as in right bur), once they fall to the ground, crushed . You may want to avoid planting where anthracnose is known to be a problem. The flowers are quite showy, typically spanning up to 4 inches across. The aurora dogwood has white blooms, while the cornelian cherry dogwood stuns with its red berries. . After pollination, they produce a type of fruit known as a drupe. Hard, white berries start to sprout in the summer, and the fall foliage is a purplish-red color. In fall, the foliage will develop to intense shades of red and purple before falling to the ground. The flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is the species most people think of when the word dogwood is mentioned.Although it is considered one of the favorite trees in the south, there are two other species, kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) and Cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas), which will grow in all areas of South Carolina except along the coast from Charleston to Savannah, Ga. Seeds in red kousa dogwood berries are around 0.25 (0.6 cm) long. Cornelian cherry dogwood is another name for this berry, and it creates clusters of tiny yellow flowers. Both types of berries are shiny, bright red oblong fruits. Although the individual blooms are small, a giant dogwood in full bloom is magnificent. If you plant kousa dogwood as a fruit source for birds, steer away from the Stellar series, such as Stellar Pink ( Cornus "Rutgan" Stellar Pink), which is a hybrid cross between flowering dogwood and . These include American dogwood, Florida dogwood, white dogwood, Indian arrowwood, white cornel, Cornelian tree, false box, and false boxwood. However, the red berries from Cornus florida are mildly poisonous. There are so many different types of dogwood trees and shrubs, and even small herb-like shrubs, all with such beautiful flowers, bark, and foliage. The Canadian bunchberry, often known simply as bunchberry or dwarf cornel, is considered a herbaceous subshrub of this group. Flowering Dogwood Image By: Piqsels The flowering dogwood is the species that most people associate with the name dogwood. Designed and Developed by iupilon.com, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Although they have not been studied for street tree usage in the United States, the branches are likely to droop less than most other Dogwoods, making it a suitable option for street tree use. While many dogwoods produce fruit, a few species have berries that are toxic to people (although birds can eat them safely). At least 36 different species of birds feast on the dogwood's fleshy red berries, including northern cardinals, tufted . Kousa dogwood is an excellent small specimen tree. Red kousa dogwood berries are round and bumpy not smooth and oblong and dont have shiny skin. Those in full sun are shorter with better leaf color, especially in the fall. Their flavor ranges from bitter to sweet and is known for having a taste that is somewhat similar to an over-ripe banana. The stiff Dogwood grows best in full sun to partial shade and can reach a total height of between 15 and 25 feet. 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