Dogwood

Family Cornaceae. Name: derives from Greek: chаmai - on the ground (i.e. low) and periclymenon - from the name of a prostrate or climbing plant in Dioscorides. The Latin name translates as 'horn'; representatives of this genus have very hard, heavy wood.

It comprises about 50 species, distributed in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and with one species each in South America and Central Africa. Mostly ornamental deciduous, sometimes evergreen shrubs, less often trees, striking in summer with their foliage and white flowers. In autumn they attract attention with white and especially blue fruits - drupes, and with pink or burgundy coloration of the leaves. They are no less showy in winter, with colored shoots (depending on the species, bright red, burgundy, yellow or bright green). Hardy, undemanding to soil, tolerate urban conditions well. They are propagated by seeds, cuttings, root suckers. Most species are widely used in landscaping.

Some botanists separate a number of prostrate species from the genus dogwoods (Cornus) into a separate genus Chamaepericlymenum:

Location: tolerates moderate shade.

Soil: prefers slightly acidic, permeable and moist fertile soil. Grows well on clay soil, but feels better on sandy and peaty soils. Does not tolerate alkaline soils.

Propagation: by division of the bush, root suckers, seeds. Seeds are sown as early as possible. Preferably immediately after ripening. Sow in a cold frame, or if there are enough seeds, outdoors. The seed should be separated from the fruit pulp, as it delays germination. If sowing is postponed until spring, seeds must be stratified for 3-4 months and sown as early as possible. Scarification also helps. Before cold stratification, perform warm stratification. Germination, especially of old seeds, can be very slow, up to 18 months or more. Before planting out, seedlings must be hardened. Some sources recommend keeping seedlings in a greenhouse for the first winter. Shrubs are divided in spring.

Use: for plantings under tree crowns, in heath gardens.