Cornus racemosa (Gray Dogwood) Unity Grown

Cornus racemosa, commonly called gray dogwood, is a large, deciduous native shrub, commonly found in forest clearings, meadows, and along bodies of water through the American northeast. Typically growing in an open, rounded form, gray dogwood grows to 10-15' tall and wide, and can form dense, suckering thickets when naturalized. In the spring, Cornus racemosa produces racemes of small, profuse white flower clusters atop the plant's silvery or gray-green foliage; flowers are attractive to pollinators, and eventually turn to small clusters of white berries, which attract birds and other wildlife.

Found in a great variety of locations, Cornus racemosa prefers full sun or partial shade and average, well-draining soils, but these hardy shrubs can also tolerate poor, rocky soils, occasional flooding, and deer browsing. Spring flowers, followed by summer berries, attractive fall foliage, and showy red stems through the winter months make gray dogwood a versatile and attractive plant all year long. To best show off its look throughout the year, gray dogwood can be naturalized as a border or hedge, grown as an accent in a pollinator garden, or placed in a rain garden, where its suckering habit helps suck up extra water and prevent erosion.