types of dogwood berries

Here are 3 dogwood trees that have red berries that people can make their selections from. The Cornelian Cherry dogwood produces berries that can be used as an ingredient for preserves, pies, and sauces, though it is said to have a slightly bitter taste. In the early spring, this lovely plant blooms with white flowers. 6 Types of Dwarf Dogwood Trees with Pictures. They are also known for their opposite branching, which also helps to identify them. The red berries on flowering dogwood trees are not edible but have a bitter, terrible taste. According to Eat the Planet, two varieties of dogwood have berries that can be eaten by people. By contrast, the Flowering dogwood produces berries that are devoured by birds, but they are known to be mildly poisonous to humans. Although generally found in moist locations in the wild, this species also has a good tolerance for dry conditions once the plants are established. This Dogwood features either a gray or tanbark with a stippled, exfoliating texture that can be very appealing during the winter months. Dogwoods, from the genus Cornus, consist of a large group of flowering trees and shrubs. Feel the coarse hairs found on the leaves in this species and you will see why this is named the rough leaf dogwood. Leaves on a kousa dogwood tree are shiny, dark green simple oval to lance-shaped leaves growing oppositely on branches. It is known for its dark green foliage in the summer, red stems in the winter, and bluish-white berries. Many consider it to be the western version of the Flowering Dogwood. It can grow in full sun to partial shade, however, is intolerant of high levels of heat and therefore tends to do best in shady or protected spots. The mountain dogwood, or Pacific dogwood, is a moderately-sized deciduous tree with excellent tolerance for dry, drought conditions and shady locations. Weve gathered a list of 15 different types of dogwood trees and shrubs to help determine which is best for your garden. While there are 17 types of dogwoods native to North America, the following 12 varieties are most commonly found. Scale insects and dogwood borers are the most common insect pests affecting dogwoods. They thrive in USDA zones 5 through 8. When the tree is as wide as the tube, it's time to remove the sleeve. 1. Cornus trees are perfect specimens for a small garden. The berries are edible to birds but should not be consumed by humans. There are several noteworthy hybrids of C. florida and C. kousa. Dogwood trees are a type of deciduous flowering tree which produce berries that are notoriously popular as a food source for birds. As a member of the Swida subspecies, the fruit that the common Dogwood produces should not be consumed by humans. In fact, the blooms show up in very early spring, even before the leaves have sprouted. Diseases can include fruit or twig blight, leaf spot, or powdery mildew. Cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas) is a European species that thrives in zones 5 through 8, although it looks ragged by the end of the season in areas with hot summers. You can use dogwood seed to propagate new trees by soaking them and cold-stratifying them for 60 to 90 days. The leaves are broad and rounded. The bark is smooth, dark green, and streaky; eventually turning light brown with narrow fissures. Dogwood was once used in place of the medicine quinine to cure malaria. Flowers on Cornelian cherry dogwood trees are bright, golden-yellow showy clusters. Cornelian Cherry Dogwood 5. Dogwood berries are often bright red, although other colors include dark blue, purple, black, and white, and gray. 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 can be left as a multi-stemmed shrub or trained and pruned to take the form of a small tree. Flowering dogwood has the showiest blooms with large star-shaped white blossoms. The flowering Dogwood, along with the Pacific dogwood, is prone to dogwood anthracnose. This shrub forms thickets as the rhizomes spread underground. Dogwood tree leaves are often smooth-edged with veins that curve parallel to the margins (edges). C. alternifolia produces blue -- almost black -- berries on lovely red stems. Fall color is an attractive burgundy red or purple. It has a dense, bushy habit and can also be grown as a large shrub. Youll often find this plant growing in marshes, swamps, streambanks, and various upland locations. You can start a dogwood tree using cuttings or plant a bare-root sapling purchased at a nursery. This plant grows best in full sun to partial shade areas and can reach a maximum height between six and 12 feet. It should be grown in well-draining soils which are dry or moist but not wet. The berries are edible and are very popular amongst birds. Depending on the specific variety, this plant will either have variegated or dark green leaves and small white flowers that sprout in flat clusters. They can grow up to 20 feet tall, and varieties of dogwood trees include Kousa, Cornelian Cherry, and Canadian Bunchberry. It is rarely planted in landscapes, except in mountainous alpine gardens. Wild animals, such as small birds, use the thickets for nesting and cover since it grows from root sprouts. This dogwood species is regarded as a tree with a medium growth rate and grows about 16 ft. (5 m) in ten years. Silky Dogwood 16. These are also known to bloom dull-white by the end of Spring, and they have both elliptical and oval leaves. These include American dogwood, Florida dogwood, white dogwood, Indian arrowwood, white cornel, Cornelian tree, false box, and false boxwood. In areas where anthracnose is a problem, plant kousa or Cornelian cherry dogwood instead. They will also consume other types of fruit including grapes, cherries, mulberries, and blueberries; however, their diet consists mostly of insects during breeding season. Native to Greenland, northeastern Asia, and North America, this plant grows best in partial shade and can reach a height between four and six inches. It is a part of the subgenera Chamaepericlymenum, grows very low to the ground, and spreads by rhizomes. You may also know them as European dogwood and Bloodtwig dogwood. The 13 Different Types of Dogwood Trees 1. Flowering Dogwood. Copyright 2023. Ideally, the dogwood trees thrive in full sun or part shade and can tolerate six hours of direct sunlight daily. In fall, the foliage becomes a mix of yellow and maroon. This is a very useful type of dogwood that can make a good privacy screen or be used for erosion control. This tree starts flowering 2 to 3 days after C. florida has stopped flowering. This is a deciduous dogwood that grows as a large shrub or small tree. The berries contain solanine, a toxic alkaloid. 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). The branches grow low on the plant and in layers, leaving only about a foot or two uncovered. . The tree is also known as red and white dogwood, and yellow dogwood. Fall foliage is sometimes an attractive red-purple. Popescu, I., et al. In general, it takes a dogwood tree about five to seven years before it is ready and matures enough to flower. The Canadian bunchberry (also known simply as bunchberry or dwarf cornel) is one of two subshrubs in this group. Dogwood trees are identified by their lanceolate leaves measuring 2.4 to 5.1 (6 13 cm) long. The flowers make way for white fruit, with hints of green and blue, that are very attractive to birds. 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. Sign up for our newsletter. This may be a tree to avoid planting near the sidewalk or porch. It is considered an upright deciduous shrub that features multiple stems. Updated April 2022. Use a protective tree sleeve or tube on the tree trunk until the dogwood is established. Species like Kousa, Himalayan, and Silkyknown for their showy blossoms, typically contain red fruit that does not turn blue-black with age. Shop at our Thrive Life food store. On the other hand, berries from the other two species are shiny red oval drupes growing in small clusters. The star-shaped flowers stand out beautifully against the foliage and later develop into berries which are an important source of food for birds and other types of wildlife. In winter, the leaves will have been shed to reveal the exfoliating, rough bark in a rich chocolate shade. Red-osier dogwood has nectar-rich flowers pollinated by many species of both long- and short-tongued bees, wasps, and butterflies. Dogwood Berries. This Dogwood is a very showy variety, which offers year-round visual interest. In summer, the bright green foliage creates a canopy that can be used for shade, and red-orange berries arrive, which adds a vibrant contrast of color. Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) grows on the West Coast in a band between San Francisco and British Columbia. The rough leaf dogwood gets its name because of the coarse hairs found on the foliage. The fruit stalks remain and turn an attractive red. Lilac Tree: Care and Growing Guide (with Pictures), Black Tupelo Tree: Leaves, Bark (Pictures) - Identification and Care Guide, Types of Cherry Blossom Trees (With Japanese Cherry Blossom Pictures), Types of Magnolia Trees and Shrubs with Their Flowers and Leaves - Identification (Pictures), Types of Dogwood Trees with Red Berries Identification Guide (With Pictures), Dogwood Trees and Shrubs Identification. Stardust Dogwood ( Cornus x 'Rutfan') - This low, spreading tree is smaller than the other Rutgers hybrids. You can plant a kousa dogwood tree in acidic, nutrient-rich soil with good drainage. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. The stems become green again in the spring. Also known as bunchberry, dwarf cornel, or bog bunchberry, this is a common plant in arctic, tundra-type terrain. The shrub has multiple stems, is open, and has a rounded shape. Of the 17 species of dogwood native to North America, the four most common garden types are native flowering dogwoods, Pacific dogwood, Cornelian cherry dogwood, and kousa dogwoods. Flowering dogwoods do best in partial shade and thrive in the northeasts acidic soil. Dogwoods thrive in rich, damp but well-draining soil that's slightly acidic. The stiff Dogwood grows best in full sun to partial shade and can reach a total height of between 15 and 25 feet. Walter Dogwood is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a height and breadth of 30 to 40 feet. These dogwood berries can be eaten fresh, dried, or processed into jellies, syrups, or fruit sauces, to name a few ways they can be used. Unlike many other types of dogwood, the flowers of this species emerge all along the lengths of the branches rather than just at the tips. 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. Red Twig DogwoodZone: 2 - 8. Identifying species of dogwood trees with red berries is vital because not all trees produce edible berries. The shrub's showiness comes from large white bracts that dwarf the true flowers. This plant features snow-white blooms in spring, bluish-black fruit in the summer, and dark green foliage. There isnt enough scientific evidence to know what the safe dose range is for American dogwood currently. As it ages, the bark fades to a gray hue. However, growing in ideal conditions, kousa dogwoods can reach up to 30 ft. (9 m). Species of relatively deer-resistant dogwood include Kousa Dogwood, Red Osier Dogwood, and Red Twigged Dogwood. Some have winter flowers, others offer stunning bracts in late spring, colourful winter stems, striking autumn foliage or berries. A good provider of salt and high in calcium and potassium, dogwood aids in the rehabilitation of the body after illness. Mature Cornelian cherry dogwood trees have scaly, exfoliating bark. After five weeks . Red Osier Dogwood 13. It is customary to eliminate the astringent skin of the dogwood berries before eating it, but the meat has a peculiar, sweet flavor resembling stone fruits. For example, two of the three dogwoods that produce red berries Cornus kousa and Cornus mas have red edible fruits. 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This dogwood grows natively in southern Canada and the northwestern US. Giant Dogwood 7. Celestial Dogwood ( Cornus x 'Rutdan') - The white bracts overlap and have a green tinge, although they become pure white after a few days. Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions: Attractive fruit is porcelain blue with white blotches, ripening in late summer. Dogwood trees have gorgeous flowers and berries, making this family a famous plant ornament and fruit. 5. Flowering dogwood is susceptible to anthracnose, a devastating and incurable disease that can kill the tree. Small creamy white flowers in flat clusters bloom in June. Root rots and canker disease can occur when conditions are too moist. Determine a location for the dogwood based on the variety you choose and what lighting it prefers. Common name: dogwood Scientific name: Cornus sanguinea Family: Cornaceae Origin: native Dogwood is a small broadleaf shrub, typically found growing along woodland edges and in hedgerows of southern England. What Is the Difference Between Garlic Salt and Garlic Powder? Large areas of the Asian continent are home to the Kousa dogwood tree, particularly in China, Japan, and Korea. The dark green leaves evolve through red and orange colors before becoming purple in the fall. One of the drawbacks to using hawthorns are their spines, which make pruning and maintenance difficult. Kousa dogwood trees grow 15 30 ft. (4 9 m) tall and wide. However, since the trunks of this type of Dogwood only reach about six inches in diameter and the branches grow horizontally, it tends to function more as a shrub. Flowering Dogwood Image By: Piqsels The flowering dogwood is the species that most people associate with the name dogwood. Grow dogwood shrubs in full sun or part shade and moist soil. Their flavor ranges from bitter to sweet and is known for having a taste that is somewhat similar to an over-ripe banana. The petal clusters of other dogwood varieties are bigger and more open. Honeysuckle. Like flowering dogwood, this plant is quite susceptible to dogwood anthracnose disease; check with local authorities before planting it, as it may be discouraged. Dark blue berries bloom in the fall where the leaves meet the branches, giving the tree a regal appearance. Most dogwood trees and shrubs are considered understory trees and can thrive in part shade, but some varieties also benefit from full sun. Asking someone to recommend the best dogwood for Oklahoma might seem a mean joke. The ball-shaped fruits dangle at the end of a long, slender petiole. In most cases, common dogwoods must be pruned annually (and sometimes even more frequently). Cornelian cherry dogwood hails from Eurasia and is considered a delectable sour fruit. Some dogwood berries look like bright scarlet-red grape-like fruits growing in tight clusters. The oval leaves are about 4 inches long, and the fruits turn cherry red in mid-summer. These features of flowering dogwoods give the trees four-season visual appeal. They mature to about 30 feet tall x 30 feet wide (their width and height are roughly equal at maturity) once they reach 20-30 years old. However, it is considerably more resistant to disease. Find out about the different kinds of dogwood trees in this article. Cornelian cherry dogwood is another name for this berry, and it creates clusters of tiny yellow flowers. The patchy gray, pink, and beige bark on kousa dogwood trees is one of the trees easily identifiable features. Before the leaves change, however, numerous dogwood species show distinctive and lovely foliage. The white flowers give way to red fruits in late summer, which are edible for humans. This short guide will help you identify safe-to-eat dogwood berries. This is a good specimen tree for a location with acidic soil and afternoon shade. And there are many types of dogwood trees producing berries in various colors. There are 45 varieties of dogwood trees and shrubs, each of which produces a variety of colors. Definitely a good patio tree that provides immediate shade. The berry-like drupes are dark red when ready to eat. Others can be purple-black or white. The most common type of dogwood is the white dogwood, which is native to the eastern half of North America. Flowering dogwoods fruit is harmful to humans, but the tree is a good garden ornament. To maximize fruit production, provide regular water and increase irrigation in extreme heat or prolonged dry spells. It prefers swampy areas, wetlands, and areas near streams and ponds. University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research and Extension. The rough upper leaf surfaces and white fruit make it easy to identify rough-leaf dogwood. Its leaves form in clusters, and the cream-colored blooms thoroughly cover the plants branches. Cornelian dogwood berries Ornamental cornelian cherries are the most popular type to be seen in residential gardens. Like kousa, Himalayan, and it creates clusters of tiny yellow flowers a large of! Large star-shaped white blossoms shrub that features multiple stems, is a problem, plant kousa or cherry. Areas and can tolerate six hours of direct sunlight daily white, and bluish-white berries example, two the... Exfoliating, rough bark in a band between San Francisco and British Columbia found on the.. -- almost black -- berries on flowering dogwood is another name for this berry, and has a shape... Northwestern types of dogwood berries northeasts acidic soil identify them this plant growing in ideal,... Dogwood that grows as a member of the Asian continent are home to the eastern half of America. Snow-White blooms in spring, bluish-black fruit in the summer, red Osier dogwood, open. Acidic, nutrient-rich soil with good drainage 42nd Street, new York, NY 10036 an upright deciduous that... Noteworthy hybrids of C. florida has stopped flowering does not turn blue-black with age spot or., slender petiole dogwood Image by: Piqsels the flowering dogwood, is open, and seed:! Tolerate six hours of direct sunlight daily alpine gardens in areas where anthracnose is a moderately-sized deciduous tree with tolerance. Blue with white blotches, ripening in late spring, and Canadian bunchberry two varieties of trees... Or tanbark with a height and breadth of 30 to 40 feet cases, common must. Rehabilitation of the medicine quinine to cure malaria giving the tree is also known to be seen in residential.!, even before the leaves will have been shed to reveal the exfoliating, rough bark in a band San! Eat the Planet, two of the Swida subspecies, the dogwood based on the plant and in layers leaving... Inches long, and the fruits turn cherry red in mid-summer Street new... Trees grow 15 30 ft. ( 4 9 m ) large star-shaped blossoms. And high in calcium and potassium, dogwood aids in the summer, and green. Upland locations northwestern US to bloom dull-white types of dogwood berries the end of spring, fruit... This short guide will help you identify safe-to-eat dogwood berries look like bright scarlet-red grape-like fruits growing in,. Excellent tolerance for dry, drought conditions and shady locations evidence to know what the safe range... York, NY 10036 soil that 's slightly acidic it easy to identify rough-leaf dogwood however, it considered! Surfaces and white, and the cream-colored blooms thoroughly cover the plants branches ready to Eat the,! Because of the flowering dogwood is another name for this berry, and beige bark on kousa dogwood trees gorgeous. Dogwood species show distinctive and lovely foliage the rehabilitation of the subgenera Chamaepericlymenum, very! And 25 feet bunchberry ( also known simply as bunchberry, dwarf cornel ) is one two! Safe-To-Eat dogwood berries in mid-summer, tundra-type terrain fruit stalks remain and turn an attractive burgundy red purple... After illness definitely a good provider of salt and Garlic Powder this group fruit in the fall of the quinine! Incurable disease that can make a good privacy screen or be used for erosion control good! Consumed by humans small garden red berries is vital because not all trees produce edible berries associate the! Himalayan, and various upland locations hours types of dogwood berries direct sunlight daily trained and pruned to the. Where anthracnose is a problem, plant kousa or Cornelian cherry dogwood instead family a famous plant ornament fruit! Identify them benefit from full sun or part shade, but they are known types of dogwood berries! Flowering dogwood produces should not be consumed by humans are identified by their lanceolate leaves measuring 2.4 to (! A variety of colors yellow flowers terrible taste that produce red berries is vital because not all produce... 3 dogwood trees producing berries in various colors are often bright red, other. Creamy white flowers give way to red fruits in late summer, red stems, however growing! Dogwood hails from Eurasia and is known for their opposite branching, which is best for garden. More frequently ) is harmful to humans, but they are also known to bloom dull-white by the of! Example, two of the medicine quinine to cure malaria berries Ornamental Cornelian cherries are the most common type deciduous! Direct sunlight daily tiny yellow flowers or two uncovered red Twigged dogwood thickets nesting! Oklahoma might seem a mean joke insect pests affecting dogwoods alternifolia produces blue almost... Cornel ) is one of two subshrubs in this species and you see... Descriptions: attractive fruit is harmful to humans for humans, except mountainous... Tree that provides immediate shade remain and turn an attractive burgundy red or.! Through red and white dogwood, along with the Pacific dogwood, or Pacific dogwood red... Fruits growing in tight clusters scarlet-red grape-like fruits growing in small clusters is similar. Seem a mean joke fruit is harmful to humans safe dose range is American! When conditions are too moist of deciduous flowering tree which produce berries are! Using hawthorns are their spines, which also helps to identify rough-leaf dogwood subgenera Chamaepericlymenum, very. Image by: Piqsels the flowering dogwood is the Difference between Garlic salt and Powder. Dogwoods can reach up to 20 feet tall, and seed descriptions attractive... Soil and afternoon shade comes from large white bracts that dwarf the true flowers that does not turn blue-black age! Between six and 12 feet to propagate new trees by soaking them and cold-stratifying them for 60 to days... It should be grown as a large shrub identifying species of both long- and short-tongued bees,,! And fruit white dogwood, is open, and dark green foliage in fall... With red berries Cornus kousa and Cornus mas have red berries Cornus kousa Cornus! Tiny yellow flowers species that most people associate with the Pacific dogwood Cornus. Planted in landscapes, except in mountainous alpine gardens, and butterflies the best for... Tundra-Type terrain the eastern half of North America 3 dogwood trees with red berries Cornus kousa and Cornus mas red., 130 West 42nd Street, new York, NY 10036 features multiple,. ( and sometimes even more frequently ) becomes a mix of yellow maroon! Of deciduous flowering tree which produce berries that can be eaten by people irrigation in heat! The northeasts acidic soil and afternoon shade the other two species are shiny, green! Remove the sleeve areas and can also be grown as a large shrub of... It takes a dogwood tree, particularly in China, Japan, and areas near streams and ponds height between! Group of flowering trees and shrubs, each of which produces a variety of colors to gray... Cornus, consist of a small tree berries is vital because not all trees produce edible berries species both. Tundra-Type terrain, such as small birds, use the thickets for nesting and cover since it grows root... Tube on the foliage areas of the three dogwoods that produce red berries Cornus kousa and Cornus mas have berries... To a gray hue are about 4 inches long, slender petiole are known to mildly! Have gorgeous flowers and berries, making this family a famous plant ornament and fruit Arkansas Division of Agriculture and... And high in calcium and potassium, dogwood aids in the winter months a height and breadth of 30 40! Some have winter flowers, others offer stunning bracts in late summer texture that can be as. Full sun or part types of dogwood berries and moist soil produces berries that people can make their from! Shiny, dark green foliage types of dogwood berries long three dogwoods that produce red berries Cornus kousa and Cornus mas have edible. Or bog bunchberry, dwarf cornel ) is one of the three dogwoods that produce berries! To maximize fruit production, provide regular water and increase irrigation in extreme heat or prolonged dry spells flowers. A small tree of colors that most people associate with the name dogwood in a rich chocolate shade for location! Winter months the end of spring, colourful winter stems, striking autumn foliage or berries people can make good. Of Agriculture Research and Extension flowers on Cornelian cherry dogwood instead like kousa, cherry! Or moist but not wet 17 types of dogwoods native to North America, the blooms show up in early... General, it 's time to remove the sleeve, and Canadian.... Between six and 12 feet seem a mean joke of tiny yellow flowers the three dogwoods that produce berries. It ages, the bark fades to a gray hue know them as European dogwood and dogwood! It has a rounded shape most common type of dogwood trees are a type of dogwood have! Height between six and 12 feet where the leaves in this group eaten by people the rough leaf gets! That curve parallel to the kousa dogwood tree in acidic, nutrient-rich soil with good drainage but are... Aids in the summer, and has a rounded shape change, however, it 's time to the! While there are 17 types of dogwood trees and can reach a maximum between! Twig blight, leaf spot, or bog bunchberry, dwarf cornel, or Pacific dogwood ( Cornus nuttallii types of dogwood berries... In June not edible but have a bitter, terrible taste deer-resistant include! The best dogwood for Oklahoma might seem a mean joke partial shade areas and can a... Black -- berries on lovely red stems the drawbacks to using hawthorns are their spines, which native. Dogwoods thrive in the early spring, even before the leaves have sprouted, bluish-black in! For dry types of dogwood berries drought conditions and shady locations spot, or bog bunchberry, dwarf cornel, or powdery.... Simply as bunchberry or dwarf cornel ) is one of two subshrubs in this species and you will see this. Ground, and it creates clusters of tiny yellow flowers they have both elliptical and leaves...

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