Shrub
Gray Dogwood
Cornus racemosa
Features
Creamy white flowers in clusters in late spring; bluish white fruit in late summer (eaten quickly by birds); bright red fruit stalks remain after fruit is gone; autumn color is purple.
Culture
Full sun to shade; prefers a moist, well-drained soil, but tolerates wet and dry sites; tolerates alkaline soil.
Cultivars
Mature Height
10-12 Feet
Size
Medium
Mature Width
10-12 Feet
(or wider, due to suckering)
Mature Form
Rounded to broad rounded, suckers to form colonies
Native To:
United States (and Illinois)
USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 8
Soil Conditions
Dry
Moist, Well-Drained
Wet
Tolerance
Alkaline Soil
Dry Sites
Wet Sites
Wind
Exposure/Light Requirements
Full Shade
Full Sun
Partial Sun/Shade
Uses
Massing
Naturalizing
Screen
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Purple
Pests and Problems
Environmental Damage
Fungal Disease
Additional pests and problems that may affect this plant:
This shrub has potential to form thickets and pruning may be needed to keep a desirable shape.
Additional Notes
Related Resources
Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
The Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide (C1391) provides is written for homeowners and other residents and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations for controlling pests associated with trees, shrubs, turf, flowers, groundcovers, vegetables, fruit, and houses. In addition, you'll find detailed information about integrated pest management, pesticide safety, and pesticide application and calibration techniques. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "C1391").
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Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook
The Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook (ICLT) is written for professional applicators and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations as well as application timing information for all major pests of turf, woody ornamentals and herbaceous ornamentals. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "ICLT").
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U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic.
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U of IL - Plant Clinic
Services include plant and insect identification, diagnosis of disease, insect, weed and chemical injury (chemical injury on field crops only), nematode assays, and help with nutrient related problems, as well as recommendations involving these diagnoses. Microscopic examinations, laboratory culturing, virus assays, and nematode assays are some of the techniques used in the clinic.
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