Grey Dogwood
Deciduous shrub reaching 2.5-4.5 m tall. Features opposite, elliptical leaves and flat-topped clusters of white flowers in early summer, followed by white berries on red pedicels. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and full sun to partial shade. Provides food for birds and wildlife. Forms thickets in favorable conditions. Suitable for naturalized areas, hedgerows, and wildlife gardens. Native to eastern North America.
Plant Details
Bloom Colour: White
Bloom Time: Late-Spring to Early-Summer
Sun Requirements: Sun to Part-Shade
Moisture: Dry to Moist-Drained
Phenology: Leaves emerge mid-May. White flower clusters appear June. White fruits mature August-September. Purple-red fall color develops October. Gray stems visible in winter.
Wildlife Value: High value wildlife shrub; berries eaten by >20 bird species; good nesting habitat for songbirds; deer browse twigs in winter; native bees visit flowers
Habit Over Time: Develops into a broad, multi-stemmed shrub that slowly spreads through root suckers. New stems emerge both close to and at some distance from the parent plant, creating a naturalistic thicket over time. While it can spread considerably, the process is gradual and predictable. The branching structure becomes more open toward the top, allowing views through at eye level.
Height: Medium to Tall (6-10 feet)