Dogwood is a native shrub of the UK and is often found in the South East of England. There are up to sixty different species of Dogwood across the world - the one that is found in the wild (typically) is Cornus sanguinea. It is a very showy shrub with it's bright red twigs and creamy white flowers. Even in the winter it stands out from most low lying shrubs due to it's crimson bark.
It is able to grow in damp conditions but can grow in many soil types. It is a popular ornamental plant and is used in gardens to provide autumn colour. Mature trees can grow to 10 metres, but more often between 3 to 8 metres. The bark is grey and smooth with shallow ridges which develop with age. Below are some useful links:
A Dogwood shrub on the RSPB Aylesbeare Common reserve
Close up of the leaves of Dogwood
The leaves are 6cm long, oval in shape, have smooth sides and characteristic curving veins. They fade to a rich crimson colour before falling in autumn. During the growing season the leaves will be a fresh green colour.
Flowers of Dogwood
Close up of the flowers. They are very pretty when you see them in great detail
Dogwood is hermaphrodite, meaning the male and female reproductive parts are contained within the same flower. The flowers are very small with four creamy white petals, and are produced in clusters.
A close up of the crimson red stems
General view of Dogwood
After pollination by insects, the flowers develop into small black berries sometimes called 'dogberries'. I would not recommend eating the fruit as research shows that 'some' Dogwood species are edible and some are mildly poisonous. Typically they are grown as an ornamental plant due to their striking red bark and showy flowers and berries.
  • In the sun the twigs are coloured crimson, while those in the shade are lime green
  • Leaf buds are black and look like bristles, forming on short stalks
  • The fresh green, oval leaves are 6cm long, have smooth sides and characteristic curving veins
  • The leaves fade to a rich crimson colour before falling in autumn
  • Dogwood is hermaphrodite, meaning the male and female reproductive parts are contained within the same flower
  • The flowers are small with four creamy white petals, and are produced in clusters
  • After pollination by insects the flowers develop into small black berries sometimes called 'dogberries'
  • A stringy latex-type substance can be seen if the leaves are pulled apart.
  • The four-petalled flowers have a bad smell - like rotten meat
  • Dogwood is native throughout Europe, Asia and North America
  • It is able to grow in damp conditions but can grow in many soil types
  • It is a popular ornamental plant and is used in gardens to provide autumn colour
  • The leaves are eaten by the caterpillars of some moths, including the case-bearer moth
  • The flowers are visited by insects and the berries are eaten by many mammals and birds
  • The origin of the name comes from the smooth straight twigs, which were used to make butchers’ skewers. The Skewers used to be called 'dags' or 'dogs', so the name meant 'skewer wood'
  • Dogwood is also thought to derive from “dagwood”, which would involve using the tree’s thin twigs for creating daggers
  •  Cutting boards and other fine turnings can be made from this fine grained and beautiful wood
  • Over 32 different varieties of game birds, including quail, feed on the red seeds
  • Most members of the Dogwood family produce mildly poisonous fruit. However, Cornelian cherry dogwood is one which does produce edible fruit, which can be used for jams and fermented into wine
  • Dogwood twigs were used by pioneers to brush their teeth. They would peel off the bark, bite the twig and then scrub their teeth
  • The bark of Cornus species is rich in tannins and has been used in traditional medicine as a substitute for quinine
  • During the American civil war confederate soldiers would make a tea from the bark to treat pain and fevers, and dogwood leaves in a poultice to cover wounds
  • During the Victorian Era, men were testing affection of unmarried women using the dogwood blossoms. Acceptance of the flower was a signal that the woman was interested. A returned flower was a sign of unrequited love
  • Chaucer used the term “whippletree” to refer to the Dogwood, which is the name for the piece of wood connecting the horse’s harness to the drag pole of a cart
  • Wood of dogwood is used in the manufacture of roller skates, tool handles, spools, spindles and golf club heads
  • Native Americans used root of dogwood to attract muskrats into the traps
  • Dogwood plays important role in traditional Chinese medicine where it is used in the treatment of dizziness, weakness, pain in the knees and back, uterine bleeding and excessive sweating
  • Dogwood can survive from 25 to 30 years under optimal conditions
  • The flowering dogwood tree is the state flower for North Carolina
  • Some sources say that the cross of Jesus Christ was made from Dogwood
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Eudicots
Clade:Asterids
Order:Cornales
Family:Cornaceae
Genus:Cornus
If there is anything out of place or wrong please contact me. Equally if there is anything you wish to add please let me know. The more information we have about Dogwood the better. Many thanks!