Wilson's Dogwood Cornus wilsoniana
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cornus fordii
- Cornus kweichowensis
- Swida wilsoniana
- Phonetic Spelling
- KOR-nus wil-son-ee-AH-na
- Description
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Wilson's Dogwood is deciduous to a semi-evergreen shrub or small tree that has showy, pale gray bark on the trunks of old, mature trees. This plant is native to forests of central and southern China. The species epithet, wilsoniana, honors Ernest H. Wilson, who collected this plant in the early 1900s. It is a member of the dogwood family (Cornaceae).
Wilson's Dogwood may be planted in full sun to partial shade. It prefers well-drained, organically rich, and acidic soils. It performs best in cooler summer climates. It is important to keep this plant consistently moist and provide adequate mulch.
The plant has small white flower clusters that appear in the spring, and purplish-black berries are present in the fall. The most prominent and attractive feature of this plant is its pale gray, smooth bark on old specimens.
This plant a good candidate for year-round specimen interest in the landscape. It is suitable for an Asian garden, pollinator garden or winter garden.
Quick ID Hints:
- Pale gray bark on mature trees
- Papery grayish-green leaves with fine white hairs on the undersides
- Small white flowers that grow in clusters in the spring
- Small purplish-black berries appear in the fall
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant has no serious insect or disease problems. Occasional pests include borers, leaf miners, and scale. Canker, leaf spot, and root rot may occur. This species is thought to be resistant to twig blight.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cornus
- Species:
- wilsoniana
- Family:
- Cornaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- In China, the wood of the tree may be used to make farm tools and furniture. The leaves are a source of food for livestock. The fruits are a source of oil.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and Southern China
- Distribution:
- Native: China North-Central, China South-Central, and China Southeast; Distribution: North America, Europe, and Australia
- Wildlife Value:
- The flowers attract butterflies for nectar and pollen. The tree is deer tolerant.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Twig blight
- Dimensions:
- Height: 16 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 12 ft. 0 in. - 33 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-trunked
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are purplish-black drupes and measure less than 0.25 inches in diameter. Each drupe contains a small ribbed stone. They are present from September to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The small white flowers appear on the terminal branches. The blooms are arranged in clusters or cymes and measure 2 to 4 inches in diameter. Flowering occurs in May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Papery
- Soft
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are papery, simple, and opposite. They are elliptical to ovate and measure 2.25 to 4.5 inches long and 0.75 to 2.25 inches wide. The upper leaf surface is grayish-green, and the lower surface is covered with dense white hairs.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Green
- Light Gray
- White
- Surface/Attachment:
- Peeling
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is gray or greenish-gray, and it splits and flakes in rectangular plates. Mature trees have smooth, ghost-white trunks.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The young branches are grayish-green, angled, and have grayish hairs. The older branches are brown and smooth with narrow lenticels.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
