Also known as alternate-leaf Dogwood, this common name for the Pagoda dogwood can help to identify it. The most common dogwood tree with red berries is the kousa dogwood. 1. Dogwood berries are often bright red, although other colors include dark blue, purple, black, and white, and gray. The wood is often used in carving and other types of woodworking. While there are 17 types of dogwoods native to North America, the following 12 varieties are most commonly found. Don't let drought affect your dogwoods, they need to be watered deeply in high heat, especially if they are in full sun. Dogwood trees are a collection of tree species that belong to the dogwood genus ' Cornus'. Kousa Dogwood 9. As a member of the Swida subspecies, the fruit that the common Dogwood produces should not be consumed by humans. Dogwood - Cornus spp. The rough leaf dogwood gets its name because of the coarse hairs found on the foliage. The berries of the Flowering Dogwood, on the other hand, start to ripen in October just as songbirds need them to fuel their migration. Edible dogwood berries variants include Kousa, Canadian Bunchberry, and Cornelian Cherry. However, it can be difficult to identify dogwood trees by their leaves alone. Dont forget that natural products arent always risk-free, and the proper dosage is critical, too. Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions: Attractive fruit is porcelain blue with white blotches, ripening in late summer. The Kousa dogwood flowers heavily in spring, with clusters of star-shaped, compact yellow-green flowers that give way to spherical berries in the summer in shades of orange, red, and pink. Although edible, its easy to confuse edible Cornelian cherry dogwood red berries with poisonous fruits from the Cornus florida species. It looks delightful interplanted with other types of red twig dogwood with different stem colors, but is especially demanding of consistently damp conditions to ensure good growth. Explore More Cornus alternifolia: Pagoda Dogwood Small tree that grows with a tiered habit like a pagoda. Nonpoisonous Berries. Sumac shrubs look and grow like gray dogwood, which is also known as northern swamp dogwood. The small white flowers appear in clusters called cymes, and have an unpleasant odor. Dogwood berries. At least 36 different species of birds feast on the dogwood's fleshy red berries, including northern cardinals, tufted . This medium-sized shrub, also known as red osier dogwood, will stand out in your landscape with stems that start turning red at the end of summer or the beginning of fall. 'Magic Flame' This tree starts flowering 2 to 3 days after C. florida has stopped flowering. Do not confuse dogwood with Jamaican dogwood, a medicinal plant with soothing qualities that can be found throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. The stems become green again in the spring. Descriptions and pictures of the deciduous trees red fruit, leaves, and bark will help you recognize red-berry-producing dogwood trees in the landscape. Cuttings need early protection with a planting dome and grow lights before planting in the ground. This plant provides four seasons of interest, with white flowers blooming in spring before the foliage emerges. In most cases, they are edible and can be used in cooking, though some dogwoods produce mildly toxic fruit to humans. It is a member of the subgenera Chamaepericlymenum and is a very low-growing plant that spreads by rhizomes. In more severe cases, hallucinations, paralysis, fever, jaundice and death have been reported. The seeds are exceedingly hard, with an oval shape, looking like a long grape seed. Finally, the trees have white flowers and deep green lanceolate leaves turning red in the fall. Looking at pictures of the scaly bark, it appears broken into small blocks on the tree. While this dogwoods fruit isnt suitable for humans, upland game birds and songbirds love it. To avoid competing for moisture and soil nutrients, plants that respect the root growth needs of dogwoods are shallow-rooted. Vanessa Richins Myers has a BS in horticulture and over 10 years of training and experience as a professional horticulturist and gardener. Pacific dogwood thrives in USDA zones 6b through 9a. Commonly referred to as the wedding cake tree, giant dogwoods are native to the Himalayas and various parts of Asia. The Kousa dogwood is native to Asia, and it is recommended as a good alternative to the Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). Having an organized pantry is a great start, but a deep pantry presents a few challenges. Dogwood trees are instantly recognizable due to their unique appearance, and there are 15 distinct varieties. We'll assume you're ok with this. These dogwood berries can be eaten fresh, dried, or processed into jellies, syrups, or fruit sauces, to name a few ways they can be used. The fruit stalks remain and turn an attractive red. Dogwood bark was traditionally brewed into a tea and used to cure diseases including yellow fever and malaria. Children often like to suck the honey from the flowers in the spring. Most dogwood trees and shrubs are considered understory trees and can thrive in part shade, but some varieties also benefit from full sun. Though with this type, the white blooms are much larger, and the fall foliage is a red, orange, or yellow color. The Cornelian cherry has smooth oblong fruits, while the Kousa berries are bumpy. Flowering Dogwood. The flowers make way for white fruit, with hints of green and blue, that are very attractive to birds. Poisonous flowering dogwood red berries look different from kousa dogwood berries. Of the 17 species of dogwood native to North America, the four most common garden types are native flowering dogwoods, Pacific dogwood, Cornelian cherry dogwood, and kousa dogwoods. Foliage is green and fall color is red to purple. Unfortunately, the cornelian cherrys fall foliage is not particularly showy. 9 Great Spring-Flowering Trees and Shrubs, 10 Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Landscaping, 11 Best Trees That Grow in Shade for Years, 12 Popular Types of Magnolia Trees and Shrubs, 10 Colorful Flowering Trees for Your Yard, 15 Best Plants for Drought-Tolerant Gardens, Cornus Canadensis (Bunchberry, Canadian Bunchberry, Canadian Dwarf Cornel, Dwarf Dogwood), Dogwood - Cornus spp. Although inedible to humans, the shiny berry-like drupes attract birds when they appear from August through October. The red berries on flowering dogwood trees are not edible but have a bitter, terrible taste. The first difference you will notice is that the leaves appear before the flowers, and the tree flowers a couple of weeks later than the flowering dogwood. People describe the berry taste as a relatively sweet, creamy, rich flavor. While there are 17 types of dogwoods native to North America, the following 12 varieties are most commonly found. Red Osier Dogwood 13. Both types of berries are shiny, bright red oblong fruits. The deciduous dogwood leaves turn burgundy red before taking on deeper shades of purple. In general, a dogwood planted in full sun can grow to between 15 and 20 feet while a dogwood in the shade can grow double the height up to 40 feet at maturity. Zones: 4-8. It can grow in full sun to partial shade, however, is intolerant of high levels of heat and therefore tends to do best in shady or protected spots. Clemson University Cooperative Extension. Flowers on kousa dogwood trees bloom in spring. According to Eat the Planet, two varieties of dogwood have berries that can be eaten by people. The plants fall foliage ranges in hue from red to purple. Silky and red osier dogwoods are especially tolerant of consistently moist soil. Flowers on Cornelian cherry dogwood trees are bright, golden-yellow showy clusters. Some examples include but are not limited to: There are several things that kill Dogwood that you need to be on the lookout for. Don't eat Dogwood berries. Also known as Chinese dogwood, Korean dogwood, or Japanese dogwood, the kousa dogwood is another popular variety. Name: C. amomum 'Cayenne'. Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) grows on the West Coast in a band between San Francisco and British Columbia. While many dogwoods produce fruit, a few species have berries that are toxic to people (although birds can eat them safely). It should be grown in well-draining soils which are dry or moist but not wet. Continue reading for our complete list of the most popular types of dogwoods to inspire your garden planning. It is native to the eastern and southeastern United States. Fall color is purplish to red. Subscribe our Newsletter for new blog posts and promotion. What Are The Pros And Cons Of Royal Empress Trees. The white flowers give way to red fruits in late summer, which are edible for humans. Plant where dramatic red stems can easily be viewed from a window! Dogwood Trees with Red Fruits Kousa Dogwood Botanical name: Cornus kousa Common names: Kousa Dogwood, Japanese Dogwood Plant family: Cornaceae USDA hardiness zone: 5 - 8 Mature height: 7 to 30 feet Mature spread: 3 to 30 feet The Kousa dogwood is native to Asia, and it is recommended as a good alternative to the Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). In late spring, the plant produces white flowers, leading to white fruit in the summer. During the spring, these trees bloom, and the berries they bear are bright and cheery. You can identify a dogwood by looking at three of its physical characteristics: leaves, bark, and fruit. There are many types of dogwoods, ranging from small shrubs to single-trunked ornamental trees. Common Types of Dogwood Trees With Red Berries The three common types of dogwood trees producing red berries are the kousa dogwood, Cornelian cherry dogwood, and the flowering dogwood tree. In early summer, creamy white flowers arrive, which give way to fleshy red fruits which resemble strawberries. Although they have not been studied for street tree usage in the United States, the branches are likely to droop less than most other Dogwoods, making it a suitable option for street tree use. Its flowers feature large bracts, a trait that other species of dogwoods may or may not have. Unfortunately, the berries found on some dogwood variants are not considered edible, and some are even regarded as poisonous. However, you should consider the professional opinion to correctly identify different dogwood species and speak with your physician before attempting alternative treatments. This shrub forms thickets as the rhizomes spread underground. The pink Japanese Dogwood (Cornus kousa Satomi) yields exquisite pink blossoms. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. However, most gardeners choose this shrub-like dogwood for its red-hued stems in winter. Up to 9 ft. tall and 5 ft. wide. Common Dogwood 4. They mature to about 30 feet tall x 30 feet wide (their width and height are roughly equal at maturity) once they reach 20-30 years old. Though, the plants fall foliage is an appealing red or purple color. Dogwood trees with red berries are small to medium, beautiful, deciduous trees, some of which produce tasty fruit. Between March and May, the dogwood trees are in full bloom. This plant also features attractive red twigs, which turn gray with age. It is a part of the subgenera Chamaepericlymenum, grows very low to the ground, and spreads by rhizomes. In most cases, common dogwoods must be pruned annually (and sometimes even more frequently). The latter two are introduced species that have earned a place in American gardens because they are more disease resistant than native species. The white dogwood is the one that has edible berries. Cornelian dogwood berries Ornamental cornelian cherries are the most popular type to be seen in residential gardens. Let's stay updated! Dogwood trees are identified by their lanceolate leaves measuring 2.4 to 5.1 (6 13 cm) long. By fall, the leaves turn a deep shade of red-purple before dropping to the ground. . Dogwood Berries - Cornus Kousa - YouTube The fruit of the Korean Dogwood - Cornus Kousa - is edible! By contrast, the Flowering dogwood produces berries that are devoured by birds, but they are known to be mildly poisonous to humans. Besides being small to medium trees, dogwoods are also a group of shrubs recognized by their bright red bark. Mountain lychees are eaten raw or processed, enjoying only the creamy, yellow-orange flesh, not the rough pink skin. @2020 - All Right Reserved. Also known as Japanese dogwood, Chinese dogwood, and Korean dogwood, Kousa Dogwood is native to multiple regions in Asia and has become a highly popular ornamental tree in the United States. These are also known to bloom dull-white by the end of Spring, and they have both elliptical and oval leaves. This variety of dogwood grows to 10 feet (3 m.) tall and offers small yellow flowers in spring. Also known as northern swamp dogwood, gray dogwood (a member of the Swida subspecies) is a deciduous shrub that forms thickets as the underground rhizomes spread. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. In spite of the fact there are scores of different seeds and berries . Fruit can be harvested from this Dogwood once it has ripened and dropped to the ground. Kousa dogwood berries are sweeter and can be enjoyed by humans fresh from the plant. Wild animals, such as small birds, use the thickets for nesting and cover since it grows from root sprouts. often to create a border for a yard or to define a specific outdoor area. Pruning is mostly for aesthetic reasons to reshape the tree and to remove dead branches. Cornus trees are perfect specimens for a small garden. While the Siberian Dogwood may not have the showiest blooms, it does add some nice color to the landscape. The brown Dogwood will grow up to four feet in poor conditions and approximately ten feet in moist, shaded areas. The smooth leaves have characteristic veins that bend up toward the tip. This fruit-producing tree is prized for its attractive shape, edible red globe-shaped berries, and spectacular red and purple fall foliage. Though, some dogwood species feature leaves that alternate on the stem instead. Look for types that are advertised as having a moderate growth rate rather than a high growth rate. This dogwood variant is easy to manage because it has few insects or disease problems and can tolerate shade. Many gardeners consider flowering dogwood as one of the most spectacular landscaping trees. The ovate leaves are dark green and have a leather-like texture with a glossy surface. In contrast, the flowering dogwood berries have a woody growth on one end. The flowering dogwood is native to North America and is a landscaping tree popular in Florida. White flowers appear in late spring, leading to white berries in summer, which are edible to birds. When administered incorrectly, this medication can have life-threatening consequences. Canadian Bunchberry 3. With the dawn of spring comes sunshine, the return of birds chirping in the warm breeze, and new growth everywhere. This tree spreads by rhizomes and can grow up to 4 to 6 inches. Grow dogwood shrubs in full sun or part shade and moist soil. The dogwood tree is an extremely common ornamental garden plant as it can offer beautiful flowers and often uniquely shaped fruits. Dogwoods, from the genus Cornus, consist of a large group of flowering trees and shrubs. Dogwood trees have gorgeous flowers and berries, making this family a famous plant ornament and fruit. Its fall foliage ranges from purple to red. The branches grow low on the plant and in layers, leaving only about a foot or two uncovered. Dogwood trees are identified by their lanceolate leaves measuring 2.4" to 5.1" (6 - 13 cm) long. Use a protective tree sleeve or tube on the tree trunk until the dogwood is established. Flowering Dogwood can grow up to 15-30 feet high and 15-20 feet wide, having an airy, multi-stem shape. Though, this condition can be controlled by trimming off the affected branches. They can grow up to 20 feet tall, and varieties of dogwood trees include Kousa, Cornelian Cherry, and Canadian Bunchberry. Canadian Bunchberry Also known as the dwarf cornel, the Canadian Bunchberry is a Dogwood shrub. Dwarf varieties of these dogwoods dont grow over 3 ft. (1 m) tall. The mountain dogwood (sometimes known as Pacific dogwood) is a medium-sized deciduous tree that has excellent tolerance for shady locations and dry, drought conditions. Most dogwood berries are popular as food amongst birds and other wild animals, and some are also edible for humans. Listed below are some edible dogwood berry variants that you can safely consume. Native range: Eastern North America. In the hottest climates, some shade during the afternoon will keep the tree healthy. Found in the eastern US in fall and winter, these dark red berries (with small, brown tips at the end), usually come in small clusters. However, the stunning multi-stemmed tree is cultivated throughout the United States as a small ornamental landscaping tree. Flowering dogwood has the showiest blooms with large star-shaped white blossoms. Prepare Your Lawn Mower For Spring (Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist). For treatment of the . Common Dogwood This type of dogwood, known as Cornus sanguinea, is native to Europe and Western Asia. It earned its name from the gray hue of its leaves, although they typically feature other colors. Read the following subsections to learn more about the deer-resistant types of dogwood. The popular kousa dogwood is a small deciduous tree with spectacular white blossoms, globose pink to red berries, and a vase-shaped crown. It is a deciduous dogwood tree that proliferates and can reach an impressive 50 feet tall hence the giant distinction. If youre thinking about trying alternative medicine, talk to your doctor first. It grows best in moist spots and is often found in boggy areas. Although, there are some herbaceous perennial subshrubs, which are fast-growing and typically die back in the winter to ground level, growing back from buds found at the base of the plant. There are so many different types of dogwood trees and shrubs, and even small herb-like shrubs, all with such beautiful flowers, bark, and foliage. Their flavor ranges from bitter to sweet and is known for having a taste that is somewhat similar to an over-ripe banana. Dogwoods can be identified by their smooth-edged leaves, with veins that are parallel to the margins (edges). They are grown primarily for ornamental purposes due to their showy blooms and colors. However, the compound berries look like single round fruit. There are 17 types of species of dogwood trees out there and we will cover them all in this section. 15 Popular Types of Dogwood There are 17 varieties of dogwoods native to North America. Canadian bunchberry The Canadian bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) is well known in some areas in Canada for a number of different reasons, including being 1 of the 2 only sub scrubs in the dogwood tree family. Plantglossary.com, All Rights Reserved. If the berries get demolished, the berry stalks will remain on the tree, adding a shock of color. The red berries on a Kousa tree are edible fruits, globose shaped with tough, rough outer skin and small bumps. However, since the trunks of this type of Dogwood only reach about six inches in diameter and the branches grow horizontally, it tends to function more as a shrub. Cornus Canadensis (Bunchberry, Canadian Bunchberry, Canadian Dwarf Cornel, Dwarf Dogwood). Daffodils and tulips make their early presence known, and of course, there is your link to Prepare Your Lawn Mower For Spring (Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist). The Cornelian cherry dogwood, Cornus mas, is a little-known dogwood of note. Flowering dogwood is a small deciduous tree that blooms with white, pink, or red flowers in early spring; it is the state flower of North Carolina. Many consider it to be the western version of the Flowering Dogwood. You should plant the dogwood tree in full sun to partial shade and ensure the ground is organically rich and well-draining. Though it prefers a moist climate, the stiff Dogwood can adapt to drier conditions. The flavor is exceptional for a temperate environment fruit, tasting like a cross between pumpkin and mango. It is rarely planted in landscapes, except in mountainous alpine gardens. The berries are bright red with an oval shape and grow in small clusters on the tree. To maximize fruit production, provide regular water and increase irrigation in extreme heat or prolonged dry spells. It can range in size from a small tree to a medium-sized tree, with tiers of horizontal branches that become smaller as they get closer to the top of the tree, creating an overall cone shape. Flowering dogwood is a spectacular landscaping tree with a rounded to flattened crown, pure white star-shaped flower-like bracts, and clusters of orangey-red fruit. Prune damaged roots from a purchased tree, then transplant it from its tub or burlap wrap by gently place the tree in a hole that's a foot wider than the root spread so the roots can spread out. Red twig dogwood shrubs grow 6 to 8 feet tall. Ground covers that spread via stolons or rhizomes, or growth stems close to or just beneath the soil, as well as kinds that generate new plants at the end of leaf nodules, can spread without putting a strain on dogwood roots. The berries are edible to birds but should not be consumed by humans. Dogwoods are among the best trees and shrubs for providing year-round interest, but they perform their best when planted in moist, fertile soil and in a location with dappled light. It grows best in full sun to partial shade, approximately six hours of sunlight a day. Like flowering dogwood, this plant is quite susceptible to dogwood anthracnose disease; check with local authorities before planting it, as it may be discouraged. The fruits on this dogwood shrub are a brilliant shade of blue. . This type of Dogwood is commonly found in parks and various residential areas, and it works great as a shade tree or for hedging. When many people imagine dogwoods, this is often the variety that comes to mind. Some dogwood tree species are homegrown in the United States, while others, like the well-known Cornelian cherry dogwood berries, are from Eurasia. Kousa dogwood trees grow 15 30 ft. (4 9 m) tall and wide. Flowering dogwood has a low-branching habit with a flattish crown. The ball-shaped fruits dangle at the end of a long, slender petiole. Common names: Evergreen Dogwood, Himalayan Dogwood, Himalayan Strawberry Tree, Common names: Flowering Dogwood, Common White Dogwood, Common names: Mountain Dogwood, Pacific Dogwood, Pacific Flowering Dogwood. The interesting bark is light to dark grayish brown, which exfoliates as the tree matures, leaving behind patches of reddish-brown and tan. This herb is still used in traditional Chinese medicine, but its becoming less popular. There are several types of dogwood trees producing berries. Dogwood berries, with their high mineral concentration, are also great restoratives. Uses in the landscape for Cornelian cherry dogwoods include a specimen tree, lawn tree, or shade tree. 5. When many people think of dogwoods, this is the plant they envision; it's the most popular and one of the most beautiful dogwood trees. Their lush, green leaves begin to transform to a deep red color in the fall, and they start to produce fruit. 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However, the red berries from Cornus florida are mildly poisonous. 5. Fall foliage is sometimes an attractive red-purple. Due to their size, they are most often used in parks or organized landscaping designs. Up the impact by pairing with yellow twig varieties. Red berries from two species of dogwood trees are edible. In fact, the bark looks like nearly uniform square scales. Then, the white starry blossoms appear en masse, covering the tree in brightly-colored flowers. Look for this species to have new bark that is orange-brown each year. Weve gathered a list of 15 different types of dogwood trees and shrubs to help determine which is best for your garden. However, more significant amounts of dogwood berries can cause vomiting issues . Even though it has a sour taste, this fruit is said to be delectable by many. Youll often find this plant growing in marshes, swamps, streambanks, and various upland locations. Commonly referred to as evergreen dogwood, Bethams cornel, and Himalayan strawberry tree, the Himalayan Dogwood is native to woodland areas throughout Asia and parts of Australia. Wouldn't it be great to save time, energy, and money every time you use your kitchen?