Dogwood, Roughleaf

Cornus drummondii, commonly known as the Roughleaf Dogwood, is a shrub or small deciduous tree that is native primarily to the Great Plains and Midwestern regions of the United States; It is also found around the Mississippi River. It is uncommon in the wild, and is mostly found around forest borders.

The Roughleaf Dogwood can grow to a height of 15 to 30 feet with a spread of 10 to 15 feet, often forming thickets, but can be trained to have a single stem. It prefers some moisture, but can tolerate dry conditions if it is planted in deep soil; prefers sunshine, but can tolerate partial shade.

LEAVES are opposite, simple, ovate to elliptical, entire with arcuate veins, 2 1/2 to 5 inches long, dark green above, lighter below; both surfaces covered in rough hairs, coarser below.

The Roughleaf Dogwood FLOWERS during late spring to summer months producing small off- white four-petaled open flowers in flat top clusters up to 3 inches across. Flowers are Monoecious; having separate male and female flowers on the same plant.

FRUIT are berry-like drupes developing in flat-topped clusters, 1/4 inch in diameter, white, fruit stalks greenish, maturing late summer to fall.

WOOD is slender, purplish to red-brown or yellow-brown to green-brown. Current year’s growth very pubescent, small buds, brown, pointed and covered in rusty hair.

BARK is initially smooth and gray-brown, becoming flaky and broken, eventually blocky on larger specimens.

Dogwoods can form a dense thicket that is used as a hedge, border or cover for WILDLIFE. At least forty species of birds are known to feed on the fruit of the Roughleaf Dogwood.