The red dogwood is widespread as a native flowering tree, especially in sparse mixed and deciduous forests, but is also often cultivated in gardens because of its beautiful flowers and lush growth. The plant is considered to be extremely easy to care for and is quickly satisfied with its soil and location requirements.

The red dogwood bears white flowers in late spring

Red dogwood - a brief overview

  • Botanical name: Cornus sanguinea
  • Genus: Dogwood (Cornus)
  • Family: Dogwood family (Cornaceae)
  • Common names: blood-red dogwood, red hornbush, dogberry, red bonewood
  • Origin and distribution: Europe to Central Asia, native wood
  • Growth height: between three and five meters
  • Typical features: reddish twigs, very hard wood
  • Location: sunny to shady, tolerates shade
  • Soil: almost any soil, provided it is well drained and not too moist
  • Flowers: white, flat umbels
  • Flowering period: May to June
  • Fruits: bluish black, small drupes
  • Leaves: ovate, entire
  • Use: ornamental shrub, hedge
  • Toxicity: slightly toxic, fruits are only edible when cooked
  • Hardiness: yes

Dogwood has not only high ornamental value

Bright red bark, beautiful white flower umbels, lush foliage and growth: the red dogwood impresses with its attractive appearance and is also an important source of food for bees, bumblebees, butterflies and various wild birds. Its fruits are also used by humans as food, as they can be boiled into juice or jam.

Caution: Red dogwood is slightly poisonous

Nevertheless, planting the red dogwood needs to be well thought out, because the bark, the leaves and the roots of the flowering shrub are poisonous. Small children and small pets such as guinea pigs and rabbits are particularly at risk. While the consumption of various parts of the plant can be fatal for the latter, the red dogwood only causes mild symptoms of poisoning in humans such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Its ripe fruits are inedible raw, but not poisonous.

Care and pruning of the red dogwood

The red dogwood does not require much care, but is considered extremely undemanding. As one of the few water-loving dogwood varieties, you can also water especially young specimens of the red dogwood on hot summer days. The shrub also rewards light fertilization - compost is particularly suitable for this - with rapid growth and rich flowering. In addition, red dogwood is very tolerant of pruning and can therefore be kept well in check.

tips

Don't be surprised if your young dogwood doesn't want to flower: it takes a few years for the shrub to flower.

Category:

Herbs