Swamp Dogwood

Cornus foemina

Size: 3 Gallon Availability

Tree
Max size: 30’ tall x 20’ wide
Average size: 20′ tall x 15′ wide

Very Moist, Usually Moist, Moist Dry
Loam, Sand
Sun/Part Shade/Shade
No salt tolerance

Swamp Dogwoods bloom in the spring with pretty clusters of white flowers. It is deciduous and has a red or purple fall color. In the summer to early fall, it fruits with edible blue berries. It grows slowly and is hurricane wind resistant. In moist areas, it can make a good screening plant. It also provides forage for birds and small animals, and attracts many types of pollinators such as long and short tongued bees, wasps, flies, and butterflies. It is a larval host for cecropia silkmoth (Hyalophora cecropia) and spring azure butterfly (Celastrina ladon).

Historically the branches have been used for making arrows. The leaves and inner bark have been used for smoking.