Gray Dogwood: A Hardy, Wildlife-Friendly Shrub for Your Garden
Native to eastern and central North America, Grey Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) is a versatile shrub that provides habitat for various wildlife species. Despite its potential to form thickets, it's not invasive in its native range.
Grey Dogwood is a rangy, scraggly shrub with suckers and dark reddish purple fall leaves. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including dry soil and air pollution. Its white winter berries, while not enhancing its appearance, attract several bird species like Eastern bluebirds and Northern cardinals. The flowers also attract butterflies, with some species using them as larval host plants. In its native range, it's found in various habitats such as forests, meadows, and along water bodies, from Canada to Florida and from New England to Texas. While it can become aggressive in landscaping, forming thickets without thinning, it's not considered invasive in its native distribution. Planting Grey Dogwood in a row can serve as a screen against unsightly views, strong winds, and harsh sunlight. Additionally, it's suitable for wildlife areas and locations with poor, wet soil.
Grey Dogwood is a hardy, wildlife-friendly shrub that's easy to care for and provides habitat and food for various species. While it can be grown as a tree, it naturally forms a multi-stemmed shrub. Though it can become aggressive in the landscape, it's not invasive in its native range, making it a valuable addition to many gardens and wild spaces.
