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Trees

Cornus nuttallii

mountain dogwood

A conical deciduous tree with oval mid-green leaves to 12cm long, sometimes turning red in autumn. In late spring, small purple and green flowers in dense flowerheads 1.5cm across are surrounded by 4-6 white or pink-tinged bracts, 4-8cm long. Spherical orange-red fruits follow

Other common names

Pacific dogwood

Synonyms

Benthamidia nuttallii

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Ultimate height

8–12 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Cornaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Cornus can be deciduous shrubs or trees, or creeping, woody-based perennials, some with brightly coloured young stems. Tiny flowers are borne in dense clusters, sometimes with showy bracts. Many have fine autumn colour
Name status: Correct
Plant range: W N America

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained neutral to acid soil in sun or part shade. For more advice, see flowering dogwood cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed in autumn, or stratify and sow in spring or propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

Pruning group 1 but best with minimal pruning

Pests

Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to horse chestnut scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose and honey fungus

Get involved

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